El Ojo del Lago - April 2012 by El Ojo del Lago

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

Saw you in the Ojo

 DIRE C TOR Y  PUBLISHER Richard Tingen

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: (01376) 765 3676, 765 2877 Fax: (01376) 765 3528 Associate Publisher David Tingen

Index...

FEATURE ARTICLES

COVER STORY

Mildred Boyd delves into the history of the mariachis—and finds the tradition started in our own state of Jalisco.

COVER STORY

VOLUME 28 NUMBER 8

Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Jazmin Eliosa

Contributing Editor Paul Jackson Contributing Editor Mark Sconce Drama Critic Michael Warren Art Critic Rob Mohr Sales Managers Omar Medina Bruce Fraser Office Secretary Lorena Garcia ADVERTISING OFFICE Av. Hidalgo # 223, Chapala Mon. thru Fri. 9am - 5pm Sat. 9am - 1pm Tel. 01 (376) 765 2877, 765 3676 Fax 01 (376) 765 3528 Send all correspondence, subscriptions or advertising to: El Ojo del Lago http://www.chapala.com ojodellago@prodigy.net.mx Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528 PRINTING: El Debate El Ojo del Lago aparece los primeros cinco días de cada mes. (Out over the first five days of each month) Certificado de Licitud de Título 3693 Certificado de Licitud de Contenido 3117.

14 TRAFFIC ADVISORY Ed Tasca writes about the ten things one must do before attempting to cross the carretera. Most of them might not make much sense, but they are all funny!

COLUMNS THIS MONTH

17 BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s Page

Uncommon Sense

Bridge by Lake

Joyful Musings

Welcome to Mexico

Child of Month

28 POETRY

Anita’s Animals

Bill Frayer, one of Lakeside’s best and most prolific poets, has penned a poem about the Ajijic Writers Group, which for many years has met under the giant rubber tree in the patio of the Nueva Posada.

Hearts at Work

New Lease

From Grapevine

Thunder on Right

Lakeside Living

Magnificent Mexico

Front Row Center

The Poet’s Niche

Focus on Art

Stay Healthy

LCS Newsletter

Herb Altman reviews Chicano, one of the very first Mexican-American novels, a book written by the legendary Richard Vasquez that went on to be translated into twelve languages, and today is considered a classic.

34 AFGHANISTAN Lakeside resident Terry Pitzner first developed an interest in this misbegotten country when, as a youngster, he became infatuated with Afghan hounds. Little did he know where that curiosity would take him some 30 years later.

48 COMICAL HIGHJINKS Neil McKinnon contributes an excerpt from his latest novel, The World’s Greatest Lover, in which he reviles one of the many types of men that prey upon unsuspecting gentlewomen: the lousy lowlife.

Reserva al Título de Derechos de Autor 04-2011-103110024300-102 Control 14301. Permisos otorgados por la Secretaría de Gobernación (EXP. 1/432 “88”/5651 de 2 de junio de 1993) y SEP (Reserva 171.94 control 14301) del 15 de enero de 1994. Distribución: Hidalgo 223 Chapala, Jalisco, México. All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Lago. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher or the Editor, nor are we responsible for the claims made by our advertisers. We welcome letters, which should include name, address and telephone number.

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

LAKESIDE LIVING

Associate Editor Jim Tipton

Shutterstock

40 MAGNIFICENT MEXICO

Special Events Editors Tod Jonson Barbara Clippinger

Saw you in the Ojo

Editor’s Page By Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez

(

ote: This past month, in honor of the movie’s 70th anniversary, Warner Bros. Studio and Turner Classic Movies sponsored screenings of Casablanca in several hundred theaters all over the United States. The only other motion pictures to have been honored in such a way are The Wizard of Oz and West Side Story—all of which seems a good excuse for us to re-publish the following article.) CASABLANCA—The Making Near Un-Doing) of a Classic

(and

If ever a film project needed divine intervention, it was this one. The production had started shooting without benefit of a completed script and a list of stars whose continued availability depended on what is referred to in contracts as “acts of God.” Speaking of which, only the drunken Greek god Bacchus could have masterminded the miracles that kept this film afloat—for it was well beyond the purview of either mere mortals or sober gods. For openers: right up until almost the first day of shooting, George Raft was trying to ace Bogart out of the starring role. Making matters worse, Jack Warner suddenly went into his “creative” mode, and seriously toyed with the idea of using Ronald Reagan (!) and Hedy Lamarr (or Ann Sheridan) in the roles later so beautifully played by Paul Henreid and Ingrid Bergman. Bogart had another pressing problem. He was committed to Columbia Studios to do Sahara, and the picture’s start-date was fast approaching. The deal was a complicated one: Warners was to borrow Cary Grant to do Arsenic and Old Lace while Bogart did the desert epic. Since Grant was at the time a far bigger name than Bogart, Jack Warner was keen to make the trade—even if he had to use Bugs Bunny (yet another Warner Bros. contract player) for the male lead in Casablanca Finally, however, Sahara was rescheduled and Bogart ambled into Rick’s Café Americain to deliver the performance the cinema demigods had destined him to play. But for the first several weeks of shooting, the actor must have thought himself more cursed than blessed. His main nemesis (other than the script, which sometimes never arrived more than thirty

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seconds before the scenes were actually to be shot) was a Hungarian director given to violent explosions and noontime trysts in his dressing room— which left little time for instructing his actors. Toward the end of the schedule Bogart was enjoying a rare day off when the director, Michael Curtiz, frantically called him back to the studio for a single shot. Arriving on the set and getting into his white tuxedo, Bogart was told all he had to do was nod into the camera, and he would be excused for the rest of the day. “May I ask why I am nodding and to whom?” Bogart sweetly asked, by now toying with the idea of strangling the Hungarian. “Actors!” Curtiz screamed, “They want to know everything. Just nod and go home!” Bogart did so, and thus unknowingly triggered what became one of the most stirring scenes in movie history. He had nodded to give the okay for his orchestra to play “La Marseillaise” and drown out the Germans who were singing one of their marching songs. A more serious problem came up during the final scenes at the airport. Curtiz, by now desperately annoyed with his entire cast, told Bogart to draw his revolver and shoot Conrad Veidt (the actor playing the suave Nazi, “Major Strasser”) the moment Veidt started for the phone to stop the flight that would take Bergman and Henreid off to the safety of America. “Have the major draw on me first,” Bogart suggested. “Otherwise, it’s cold-blooded murder.” After an argument that went on for hours, Curtiz glumly (and luckily) relented. Another ticklish situation immediately ensued. What would the Claude

Rains character do when the police arrived moments later? It was a sticky situation, what with the “dead” German major lying at his feet. Curtiz toyed with the idea of simply hiding the major’s body. But here the beleaguered screenwriters had a noble inspiration. “Major Strasser has been shot,” Rains blithely informs the arriving gendarmes. Rains looks at Bogart. Bogart studies Rains. The tension thickens, as we wonder whether Rains will finger Bogie. Then the glorious clincher: “Round up the usual suspects!” The film is filled with wonderfully outrageous dialogue. Early on, Bogart, nursing a badly bruised heart (thanks to Bergman having left him just as the German army marched into Paris) is approached by his current paramour. “Where were you last night?” she asks. “That’s so long ago, I don’t remember,” he replies. “Will I see you tonight?” Bogart pauses for only a moment. “I never plan that far ahead.” The closest shave with disaster came in the very last scene, where Bogart is trying to ship Bergman out with Henreid before the Gestapo can arrest the underground leader. Yet even at this critically late stage of the game, nobody knew just how the final scene should be played. Curtiz improvised. First take: Bergman turns to Henreid: “I’m staying with Rick. I love him. I once left him to go back to you, but I can’t do it again.” Whereupon “Rick” (Bogart) confesses to the general assemblage that he’s a hopeless alcoholic who sometimes stays drunk for days on end. In other words, he’s a woefully bad bet for a permanent relationship. Luckily, even as this self-pitying Goulash ala Curtiz was being served up, the screenwriters arrived with the latest rewrites. The scene was redone, and the stirring finale we know and love today was finally filmed. Casablanca is at heart a story of noble sacrifice, and had Bogart tricked Henreid out of Bergman at the end of the film, I doubt that the picture would

have gone on to enter the pantheon of timeless movie classics. But the hassles continued even after filming had been completed. The eminent composer Max Steiner (of Gone with the Wind fame) hated the song, “As Time Goes By.” Hal Wallis, the producer, wanted the song in the picture and tried hard to convince Steiner. The composer remained unmoved. “But you haven’t given me any real motivation for why the song should be used,” wailed Steiner. I’ll give you plenty of motivation,” Wallis roared. “If you don’t use it, you’re fired!” The song stayed in the picture. Yet, sadly, it’s the sort of film Hollywood seems unable or unwilling to make anymore. But then it was the product of another era—of a clearcut, black and white period, before the world went gray and became vastly more complicated. By way of a poetic salute to their forever-lost relationship in that final poignant moment at the airport, Bogart said to Bergman, “We’ll always have Paris.” Today, as movies and standards of morality move in new and troubling directions, we have at least one consolation. We’ll always have Casablanca.

Alejandro Grattan

Saw you in the Ojo

Viva los Mariachis By Mildred Boyd

hen we think of the peoples and cultures of modern Mexico, three things invariably spring to mind, and every one of them had its origin in our adopted state of Jalisco! The Mexican’s favorite pastime of listening to the lively music of mariachis while watching the riding and roping of the charros while sipping tequila says much for the fun loving nature of these people. But it is the distinctive sound and irresistible rhythm of mariachis that instantly invokes the image of gay caballeros and laughing señoritas dancing the Jarabe Tapatio, known to the rest of the world as the Mexican Hat Dance. Mariachis first appeared in Cocula in central Jalisco sometime in the early 19th century, but the first verifiable mention of them is in a letter from a Catholic priest written in 1852. This poses a weighty argument against the folk etymology that claims the word “mariachi” derives from the French word for “marriage.” This is extremely unlikely, since the French did not arrive in Mexico until 1864 and it isn’t on record that any Frenchman ever set foot in Jalisco, much less got married here. Other possible derivations, such as the claim they were named after a Virgin called Maria H. (Mah-ri-ah-chay), are even more far-fetched and, in fact, we may never know exactly how the name evolved. Not that it matters. Mariachis and their music are the heart and soul of Mexico. They take their themes where they find them; love, betrayal, death, revolution, heroes and heroines, machismo, plants, country life, animals and even the lowly cucaracha who cannot walk because she has no marijuana to smoke. Mariachis are on hand with special music for every holiday and fiesta whether it be Mother’s Day, Independence Day or a young woman’s fifteenth birthday. Music has always been an important part of Mexican life. Cortez found the natives playing and dancing to the music of gourd rattles, reed whistles, wooden drums, reed or clay flutes, tiny silver or golden bells and horns made of conch shells. They quickly and enthusiastically adopted the brass horns, woodwinds and stringed instruments like guitars,

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

violins, and harps imported by the Spanish. These were intended to provide music for Church Masses but the natives had other ideas. They not only learned to play these foreign instruments but were soon producing their own, sometimes with shapes and tunings of their own invention. Some of these, like the high-pitched round-backed vihuela, the Mexican folk harp and the deep-voiced guitarron still play integral roles in today’s mariachi music. Indians and Mestizos alike were soon playing their new instruments for village festivals where they played the lively, foot-stomping sones and jarabes, many of which have become popular outside Mexico. Typical examples are the son jaracho, called La Bamba, the son huasteca or La Malagueña and the aforementioned jarabe Tapatio. These dances were performed on the tarima, a wooden platform sometimes elevated on clay jars that amplified the staccato heel beats of the dancers. The rapid stomping beat of the zapateado, a distinctive type of footwork originating in Spain, is the basis of such sones as the jaliscience and is so forceful it has been known to reduce the hardest of wooden dance floors to splinters. Playing for Spanish social occasions and dances required the Mariachis to add waltzes, polkas and other European dances to their repertoires, while playing in theater orchestras demanded still other musical forms. But their lively rhythms and often scatological lyrics were too profane for the church, which considered them pagans of the worst sort. In time, they became the wandering minstrels of the New World, bringing the current news and the latest songs and dances to remote native villages and isolated Spanish haciendas. In either place they were heartily welcomed and provided with food and lodging for as long as they chose to stay. Some haciendas hired them on a permanent basis at a larger salary than any peon could hope to earn. Poorer villages could only offer a small stipend to help them on their way to their next stop. Such groups were small, usually only four men playing two violins, a vihuelo and a guitarron and

singing to their own accompaniment. The 1910 revolution changed everything. The few haciendas that still existed after the revolutionary armies under Villa, Carranza and Zapata finished their vindictive burning and looting could no longer afford such luxuries as mariachis. Hitherto isolated and unknown outside their own small worlds, Mariachis were forced to seek audiences in the cities, where they performed for a fee. It was necessary to learn new musical styles and, in time, brasses were added to the original all-string ensembles Today, a standard group consists of two or three trumpet players, three or more violinists, and men playing the vihuela, the guitarron, the Mexican folk harp and the Spanish guitar, most of whom sing as well. In the early days there were no fancy identifying costumes. True, the small groups were dressed alike, but only because they wore the same clothing as all the other peasants in Mexico. White cotton shirts and trousers, huaraches and broad- brimmed straw sombreros were the uniform of the day. It was not until after the 1910 revolution that mariachis began to wear the distinctive costume of the Charros. Today, silver studded short jackets and tight fitting pants flared at the bottom to accommodate short boots, embroidered belts, flowing bow ties and

lavishly decorated sombreros are as much a part of Mariachis as their music. These distinctive costumes were soon highly visible at fiestas and political events such as presidential inaugurations. The introduction of new entertainment forms served to spread their fame. Performances on radio, phonograph records and in motion pictures did much to increase the exposure and popularity of mariachis and their music in the early 1900s. Those early movies in which they appeared focused on the machismo which has become an integral part of their mystique. By now, mariachis had become such a national treasure that even the Roman Catholic Church finally relented and accepted them. In 1966, Father Juan Marco Leclerc astonished his Cuernavaca congregation by allowing the performance of the first mariachi mass. The Misa Panamerica is a folk mass sung in Spanish to the accompaniment of mariachi instruments which is now frequently performed throughout Mexico and in the United States wherever there is a sizeable Hispanic population. Now, if the Church used tequila instead of wine for communion and held charro contests in their courtyards after mass they might be surprised at how many backsliders returned to the fold.

Saw you in the Ojo

UUNCOMMON NCOM MM MON CCOMMON OM MM MON SSENSE ENSE By Bill Frayer billfrayer@gmail.com What Does the Right Get Right?

Bill Frayer

s you might guess, my personal political beliefs are somewhat left of center. I usually vote Democratic in US elections, and I am more comfortable with traditional left-wing ideas. Nevertheless, I am disturbed by the stark polarization between liberal and conservative political thought. There was a time when the left and the right could, and did, compromise for the good of everyone. Now? Not so much. Thomas Edsall recently wrote a couple of articles for the New York Times in which he asked the other side what ideas their opponents might actually get “right.” In this month’s column I’ll explore what the left wingers concede might be “right” about the ideas of the conservatives. According to the left wingers in Edsall’s survey, the conservatives inherently understand the limits of governmental solutions to social problems. They tend to see solutions to poverty, medical inequality, and education coming from non-governmental institutions like family, church, and private enterprise. They see that government programs are sometimes inefficient, expensive, and patronizing. The left, perhaps, has a blind spot about the problems created by large-scale government intervention because they see them as reliable ways to address some social problems. An example from the 1960’s would be the welfare system which provided aid to poor families with young children. It did provide a stable source of income, but, in the process, encouraged women not to marry and created a culture of dependency. Another area where the left wing respondents agreed that the right had a strong point was their focusing on individual freedom and responsibility. Conservatives support the idea of putting the onus on individuals to make their lives better and giving them the freedom to accomplish this. They

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

support school choice and private health insurance, and often oppose government mandates which reduce individual autonomy like motorcycle helmet and guncontrol laws. Liberal thinkers are more likely to pass laws which may limit individual freedoms to accomplish a “greater good.” (I might add that the conservatives did support many post-9-11 laws which, arguably, compromised individual freedom and privacy, so there are exceptions!) Conservatives also tend to support non-governmental institutions like religion and family as way to support “moral” values. Good parenting and strong church affiliation, they believe, can do more to promote the values of hard work, the sanctity of life, and charity more than secular, governmentbased institutions. Perhaps the left, by promoting more secular solutions, diminishes the traditional role of family and church in helping young people take individual responsibility of their lives. Conservatives believe that liberal programs weaken these institutions. Although there are some worthy ideas coming from the right, even conservatives themselves will disagree on specific proposals. Many libertarians see government regulation of abortion-rights as improper. Although most conservatives oppose government-provided health care, some agree with some government involvement for childhood inoculations and food and drug regulations. Obviously, conservatives and liberals do not always agree among themselves. So these types of generalizations need to be tempered. Perhaps, if Edsall’s liberal thinkers are correct, the left should not dismiss the conservative’s viewpoints out-of-hand. Perhaps there is some common-ground which might be the basis for good policy. Next month, I’ll examine the: what the right-wingers agree the left gets right.

BRIDGE B RIDGE B BY Y THE THE LAKE LAKE By Ken Masson

orinne and Dick Nelson have long been one of the best partnerships in Mexico. When you play against them you always know you will have a stiff fight on your hands and if ever you can share the spoils with them you will feel fortunate. This month’s hand was dealt at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club where herself and I, sitting North and South respectively, faced the Nelsons. Dick passed in first seat and I opened the bidding with 1 spade. Norinne passed and herself made the invitational bid of 3 spades showing about 10 to 12 dummy points and at least 4 spades. With 15 high card points and extra length in the trump suit I was pleased to carry on to game. Norinne led the club Jack and at first glance when I saw the dummy with plenty of honor cards it looked like I should have a good chance of making the contract. At second glance, however, I saw that there was a distinct lack of entries to dummy. As I had to win the opening lead in my hand I had no convenient way to dummy to take either the spade or the heart finesse. The diamond ace might have been with West, but I was unwilling to risk the contract on the location of one specific card. After some thought, I decided on my course of action. I played the trump ace from my hand – this could be a success in either of two ways: the king could be singleton in either of the opponent’s hands or, failing that, Dick could hold the spade king and when he won it he would not be able to attack diamonds profit-

ably from his side of the table. Neither of these scenarios panned out for our side. After the spade king failed to fall under my ace I had no real choice but to lead another trump and hope. But when Norinne won with the trump king, Dick made the expert play of the heart 10, which in their defensive system showed no interest in that suit. Now Norinne concluded that diamonds was their sole hope of defeating the contract so she made an expert play of her own – the diamond queen! And what a killer that card turned out to be. The “normal” lead from her holding would be a low diamond but that would not have worked here as Dick would have had to win with the jack or ten and there would have been no way for the defenders to cash more than 3 tricks before I had my 10. I was totally stymied! If I covered with the king Dick would then cash his jack and ten so I decided to duck in the hope that East had only 2 diamonds or that the suit would block. Alas (have you noticed how often the word “alas” appears in my columns when I am describing a hand I played?) it was not to be and there was no way I could prevent the defense from taking 4 tricks. The admirable Nelsons were well named for it was in this battle against them that I met my Waterloo! Questions or comments: email: masson.ken@ gmail.com Ken Masson

Saw you in the Ojo 11

Ceramic Frog By Michael Warren

Sits in the garden, croaking and croaking, but no one comes: he’s a lonely frog, you can hear him singing his silent song to the green trees and the purple flowers. You say “I hear nothing, he’s a ceramic frog, he holds a pot of azaleas in his wide and friendly back and there is no silent song.” And I say “Everything has its own song, the trees, the bougainvillea bush, and the endless moving ocean: the sun, the moon, the ceramic frog – he sings, but you cannot hear him.”

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

Joyful Musings By Joy Birnbach Dunstan, MA, LPC, MAC Good-byes Are Never Easy

his is the time of year when many of us are saying goodbyes to lakeside friends who migrate north to enjoy a warm northern summertime with their other family and friends. Although we’re sad to see them go, this kind of goodbye is pretty simple because we know it will be followed by another hello when our snowbird friends return on the cold winds of autumn. More permanent good-byes can be much more painful. This week I had to say goodbye to my beloved dog, Maggie. After almost 11 years of loving companionship and more than a small dose of mischief, it is difficult to accept that she is no longer by my side. She had the greatest zest for life of any dog I’ve ever known. Before we took her in, she lived by her wits in the streets. In our early days together, one of her favorite tricks when we walked together was to dash into an open doorway and re-appear seconds later with a tasty meal in her mouth, slyly in and out before anyone knew she’d been there. A decade later she finally came to believe she’d never go hungry again and didn’t mind the frequent “qué gorda” comments she received as we walked down the street. She had a good life with us and added a lot to ours. I’m really going to miss the ol’ girl. Many of my friends have also lost their own beloved pets in just the last few weeks. We all share a common sorrow. Living in a retirement community, we face all-too-frequent losses of friends and family as well. Every week I open my copy of the Guadalajara Reporter hoping I won’t find an obituary for anyone I know. Every loss is painful, and getting through it is a slow process and not an event. Let the process take whatever time it needs. There’s no hurrying up and getting back to normal because things really won’t ever be the same. A good place to begin the healing journey is by remembering the past. It can be tempting to get rid of all mementos and material objects

reminding you of your loss. This isn’t the time to do that yet. Just because this person or pet is no longer part of your life doesn’t mean the wonderful memories no longer deserve a special place in your heart. Instead, recall and reflect upon the happy times shared together, milestones, and special events. As Kahlil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, “When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” All the pain of losing Maggie is a small price for all the joy she has brought over the years. I’ve packed away her food bowl and her doghouse, but I’ve placed a photo of her beside her collar and tags where I see them every day. I’ve been remembering and sharing dozens of stories of both how good and how very bad she could be. Every memory makes me both laugh and cry, but they all keep her alive in my heart. Be gentle and patient with yourself, taking time every day to listen to the still quiet voice within. In a typical grief response, the intense initial pain loses its sharp edge over time, and your energy gradually begins to return. The process may be slow, and progress is not always linear. Different emotions can pop up when you least expect it. Anticipate special events that may trigger a flood of emotion and develop some possible actions you can take to help yourself through it. Plan activities with friends at times that may be difficult to be alone. Maybe it’s time to consider adopting a new pet, or to get more involved in some new social or educational activities. Open yourself to whatever new possibilities await. Endings always herald a new beginning. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Soon the ice will melt, and the blackbirds sing along the river as pleasantly as ever.” Editor’s Note: Joy is a practicing psychotherapist in Riberas. She can be contacted at joy@dunstan.org or 765-4988. Check out her new website: http://joydunstan.weebly.com.

Saw you in the Ojo 13

HOW TO CROSS THE CARRETERA—And Arrive Alive! By Ed Tasca

s everyone who has been to Chapala lakeside knows, there is only one major roadway that encircles the fabulous lake. Known affectionately as the carretera, it is the only artery to thread through all the many small villages that surround the lake, and, as a result, is almost always choked with traffic, traffic signal breakdowns or cement trucks breaking the sound barrier. That said, one of the small, essential journeys required of any lakeside resident is to go from one side of the carretera to the other as a pedestrian. And arrive with all limbs and wits intact. Often, the crossing even requires some advanced planning to complete it. I myself give the journey a lot of thought before taking it, regardless of the reason I’ve decided to cross. Before I do anything, I seek the advice of a trusted friend, asking, “Do I really need to cross the carretera?” If he becomes morose and asks me to have a drink with him, he’s probably going to try to talk me out of it. The point here is that after having discussed the subject thoroughly, if one still feels he or she has no other choice but to cross the carretera, then be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before and consider the following guidelines to help you arrive and return safely. First, wear bright clothing. Red is best. Other useful clothing options include a large white-plumed hat and a pair of luminescent running shoes with good traction. Second, avoid crossing at spots where there are flowered shrines commemorating an accident. Avoiding these areas can add to your probability of arriving safely on the other side (of the carretera, that is). Third, arrange to cross with a friend. In this way, if one of you becomes light-headed from the fumes and the long wait for traffic to clear, the other can call for emergency assistance. Fourth, if you have taken any medications that could make you drowsy, delay your crossing for at least four hours. Pin your IMSS card to your hat (possibly at the base of your plume). Fifth, as you approach the asphalt portion of the carretera, be sure to look both ways at least three times. If you see that there are no cars or trucks coming from either direction or from

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

hidd hidden side id streets, t t ttake k outt your white surrender flag and wave it briskly over your head to alert everyone in the area that you will be making a risky maneuver. Sixth, if you decide to look for polizia controlling traffic before you cross, make sure the person you see in the intersection IS a traffic officer. Someone signaling with his arms could mean he has been stuck in the middle of the carretera for hours and is gesturing for help or has decided to do Tai Chi to help him relax. Seventh, leap across in long bounds, shouting the words, “Please don’t run me down! Please don’t run me down!” until you are safely on the other side. It pays to train for such a run several weeks in advance with a good fitness instructor. Eighth, once across, be sure that you have accomplished every possible chore. If you are going on a shopping trip, also add in a trip to your doctor and your lawyer. If the church is there, stop in and thank God that you have made it across and pray for the safe crossing of others. If you are considering a sex change operation, try to have it done while you are there, also. Ninth, plan carefully for your return trip over the carretera by retracing your steps and following the exact same procedures for re-crossing. If you are carrying heavy groceries or other purchases and they are unbreakable, throw or roll them across the carretera before you cross. This will make it easier to race across between raging cement trucks. Tenth, update your will. Finally, once you are home safely, remain in your home until you have the cement dust and emission fumes out of your lungs. And always, as a Good Samaritan, make yourself available for counsel to others who are thinking about making the trip.

Saw you in the Ojo 15

By Victoria Schmidt

There’s got to be another way

s anyone else out there sick of the election? The older I get, the elections get worse. It seems to me that the USA has turned politics into the newest blood sport. The only problem is, in this sport, nobody actually ever wins. I don’t know if the figures have ever been gathered, but I would like to see if we could find out the true financial cost of an election. It seems that only millionaires and friends of millionaires represent us in office these days. Billions of dollars are spent on candidates. Consider this: The day the candidate steps into office, they must begin fundraising for their reelection. By some estimates I have read, a Senate seat must raise $10,000 per day during their six-year term. I think about all the travel costs: airplanes, hotels, rental cars, meals, office supplies, campaign offices, telephones, walkies, computers— and all the other things necessary for a campaign itself. The campaign staffs, the printing, photography, websites, print ads, and of course, the ubiquitous television commercials. A long while ago, back before the Fairness Doctrine was shredded, broadcast television had standards required by law. Petty little things like equal time. And all advertising needed to be the factual truth. No ”out of context” editing. No swiftboating. No lies. Now it seems to me that anyone can say anything about anyone. Even the candidates can’t control their own “message” when Super PACS put out their own advertising. And that advertising is not cheap (well, it may be cheap in another sense of the word) but it is costly. All I see is dollar signs. Now multiply that by the number of politicians seeking office in 2012, throw in the Presidential campaign and the costs go up exponentially. Once it gets boiled down to the main candidates, the cost of security is added in. The Secret Service protects the major candidates in the Presidential election. I keep thinking that all this is so unnecessary. Just think what would happen if all that money was directed instead to the National debt! Oh, it wouldn’t erase it, but it sure would dent it. And I don’t care what political affiliation anyone subscribes to. I think many

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feel the same. We get sick of the ads, the posturing, the politics of politics, the pundits and programs and the promiseeverything candidates and by the time the election comes we are so sick of the campaign that we can’t wait to get it over with. I’m not saying we don’t care about the outcome. But I think we can get a better outcome by revamping our political process. First of all, we can shorten the election “season.” In the days of Pony Express where candidates traveled by stage and train – they didn’t campaign as long as candidates do today. Today we all have news and information at the touch of a finger--worldwide. So I propose some changes, and let’s start with having the campaign last 90 days. Secondly, each candidate can get their own message out via the Internet and their own website. Those ads? Give each political party their own 24-hour network and all the candidates can debate, advertise and discuss their platform. The voters can tune into the network of their choice, but it would be clearly identified as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party network, etc. That way there would be no conflict of interest and the public would know exactly what they are getting and we wouldn’t have to debate the “objectivity” of the news broadcast. Every public newspaper could run the news and information on separate pages so people can read and analyze and decide on their own. Instead of having everything whittled down to a sound bite, or having radio show hosts behaving like carnival barkers, we could have the citizens use their brains and debate amongst themselves. Bet you it wouldn’t cost as much as what we’ve got going now. And then maybe all those politicians who are running for office could actually be in their offices working. They could actually make it on to the floor for their votes. They could attend their assigned committee meetings and, gosh, actually pass legislation. Victoria Schmidt

CHICANO! CHICANO! By Richard Vasquez Review by Herb Altman

f all the groups of people that have come to the USA, the only group that came overland and not by sea were the Mexican Indians, who were here and had established a culture long before the 1500s, when the first Europeans arrived. Now, when Mexicans come back to land that was originally theirs, they are strangers. The story starts in Mexico in the late 1800s, with each successive, generation forming links in a chain that kept getting stronger and more interesting. By the time the reader gets to Mariana, Samm and David Stiver, it is impossible to put the book down. Novels that can generate such power are rare, which might be one reason Chicano! has been translated into 13 foreign languages, and is still being read some 25 years after its initial publication. Chicano! is about bigotry and the many ways in which it can be ex-

pressed. In the States Latinos are often mocked when they are slow to master English. “Goddamn it, if you want to live in this country, the least you can do is learn the language!” And yet, here in Mexico, we all know gringos who have been down here for 20 years who still can say little more than “¿Donde esta el baño?” and have the notion that the locals are at fault for not speaking to them in a “civilized” language. (Note: This ground-breaking novel can be found in the LCS library and on the publisher, Doubleday, web site.)

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CHILD

of the month

By Rich Petersen

Juan Diego Pérez Aceves

oes it ever seem to you that there is a plethora of too-adorable children here in Mexico? That your heart is attracted to them almost immediately? Here is another one. This is 7-year old Juan Diego Pérez Aceves. Juan Diego is the older of two boys; his brother José Ignacio is three. They are part of a loving family in Ixtlahuacan. Mom is a housewife, and Dad works in construction. Juan Diego looks a little small for his age, right? That’s because he has a condition known as “esophageal stenosis,” which only means that his esophagus (where the food goes down) is very constricted, an unusual but not uncommon birth defect. In other words, Juan Diego can’t swallow with the facility and ease most children do. Right after birth, his parents noted that he couldn’t keep food down—any food. Everything came right back up… it was even difficult for him to swallow his own saliva. At first when his parents took him to the doctors at Hospital Civil to see what was going on, one doctor told them that the boy was just being “a pill” about food and would get over it. They changed doctors. The next doctor ordered a CT scan of Juan Diego’s upper chest and throat, the results of which showed that his esophagus was 95% closed….only 5% allowing food and liquid down. He had had a feeding tube through his nose for several months, but when the real problem was discovered, this was changed to a gastric (directly into the stomach) feeding tube so more nourishment could be given. He underwent surgery to close off part of his stomach so more food could be absorbed, and little by little liquid and solid foods were introduced by mouth. Juan Diego could only tolerate small portions at first, but at least he was eating and gaining a bit of weight. The feeding tube was then discontinued. Now our little guy is being handled very well by his doctors and is gaining weight. Every month or so, whenever

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his mother notices that he is having trouble swallowing, Juan Diego undergoes a procedure to widen his esophagus. Of course under anesthesia, this procedure inserts different sizes of flexible tubes to help the esophagus to open more. I know this is a bit delicate to talk about but thanks to this procedure, Juan Diego is doing very well at present. He no longer has to have a feeding tube, and with special high-dose energy/protein food, he is growing at a steady rate. His parents are super supportive and with the help of Niños Incapacitados, his treatments and special medicines are being paid for, as well as the trips to and from the hospital in Guadalajara. Juan Diego is an excellent student and is in the same class as his best friend. He loves to play soccer and practice kick-boxing, plus ride his bike around the neighborhood. Of course, we hope he continues to improve and thrive. A SPECIAL THANKS---to all of you who came to and supported our annual Dinner/Dance, this year’s “Hollywood on the Lake.” It was a rousing success and much fun was had by all. Thank you! To meet other of “our” children and to learn more about what Niños Incapacitados does, please join us the second Thursday of each month for our members’ meeting. Coffee and cookies at 10:00 a.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta; meeting starts at 10:30. We meet September through May so there are only two meetings left before summer break. Hope to see you there.

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“Natural Order: Palestinian and Jewish Dads Find Peace” By Kelly Hayes-Raitt

(Ed. Note: On May 6 at 10:30, Kelly Hayes-Raitt will address Open Circle at LCS about her experiences traveling through Israel and the West Bank, where she interviewed Israelis and Palestinians engaged in some of the most innovative and inspiring peace and reconciliation efforts. This essay is an excerpt from her forthcoming book Living Large in Limbo: How I Found Myself Among the World’s Forgotten. She blogs at www.PeacePATHFoundation.org.)

y mother always said the hardest thing in life is to lose a child; it defies the natural order. Yet, this place that has lost so many children, this place so filled with perpetuated pain, has spawned the most innovative, inspiring efforts that fight through conflict. Soldiers speak out through Breaking the Silence and Combatants for Peace. The Jewish and Arab pioneer residents of Neve Shalom~Wahat al-Salam live cooperatively and have for decades. Religious leaders bear witness through groups like Rabbis for Peace. High school students now go to jail for refusing to go to war. Lawyers painstakingly document abuses that no one else will. International activists stand up to bulldozers intent on destroying Palestinian homes. These are people redefining the natural order, people with the courage to let go of being right. Of all the groundbreaking efforts, the group that impresses me the most is the one that, in the words of one member who addresses us, is “The only organization on earth that does not seek new members.” The Parents Circle Family Forum is a group of parents and family members of Palestinian and Jewish children who are the conflict’s casualties. These bereaved parents realize that religious, political or historical differences pale in comparison to their common grief. During our delegation’s last evening together, two men sit side-by-side in overstuffed chairs in the dingy living room of a hostel in Jerusalem’s old city, steel-

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ing themselves to once again tell their stories. In accented English, Palestinian Ibrahim Khalil, 41, begins: “I have two daughters and a son,” he starts evenly. “I educated my family to be peaceful. I am a peace activist. One day when I got home, I saw many soldiers and two or three ambulances. I saw my family crying and shouting. I saw the only son I have [covered] with blood. There is no way to describe it. Every day in the morning, you touch his head, you play with him. Then one day it’s over. “…Just for one reason my son was killed: He’s a Palestinian guy. I used to ask him, what do you want to be? He would answer, ‘Doctor.’ But now, all the doctors in the world cannot help him. “He was killed by a settler. His mother saw what happened. Should I go ahead as a peace activist?” the large man pauses, challenging us. “Or should I kill an Israeli settler? This is not the message of my son.” His words hover in the dim light. “If I knew [that] the settler who killed my son would listen to me, I would go to his house to help him. It’s important to know what he is thinking. I would ask, ‘Why do you choose this way of killing? You lose a part of your heart. This is not the message of my son.” Jew Rami Elhanan, 57, picks up: “Before everything else, I am a human being. Yom Kippur is our Day of Atonement, our holiest day of the year. Thirty-four years ago, I was a young soldier [sent to Lebanon as a paratrooper]. I lost some of my very best friends. I came out bitter. Twenty-three years ago on the eve of Yom Kippur, my daughter

was born. She was a very sparkling, vivid little girl – Hadassah. We were very happy. Until ten years ago, 4 of September 1997, when two Palestinian suicide bombers blew up my bubble. On Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, they killed five people… She was 14 years old. You find yourself running in the streets, running from hospital to hospital, police station to police station and then you see a sight you will never forget and then you go home and the house is filled with people. “On the eighth day [after sitting shiva], the house is quiet and you have to make a decision, you have to get up. You are not the same person. When someone kills your 14-yr-old girl, you get angry. You start asking yourself questions. You ask yourself, if I kill anyone, will it bring her back? The answer is, ‘Certainly not.’ Gradually, you come to the other option: What can cause someone to be that angry to blow himself and a 14-year-old girl up? “ “He,” Rami touches his Palestinian friend’s arm, “was one of the thousands of people who came to my house during the seven days. I was so angry; how could he come to my house when my daughter was just killed and talk about peace?

I had never met a Palestinian before,” he said with incredulity. “I went to the Parents Circle; Palestinians were hugging me and sharing my pain.” Rami shook his head, “This is not our destiny to have people killing each other. We can break this cycle. If you are able to listen to the pain of the other, then they will listen to your pain. After one of my talks, the brother of [one of ] the suicide bomber[s who killed my daughter] came to shake my hand. I said, ‘OK, let’s shake.’ He’s now a member of our group. You don’t look back, you don’t judge or find who to blame. It won’t heal anything. The only way out of this endless cycle is to look forward. I’m the son of a Holocaust survivor. My father was at Auschwitz. [Now] my son is a founder of Combatants for Peace. Like any power, you can use pain to bring more pain or to bring light and hope. Our pain,” Rami runs his thumb in the air between himself and Ibrahim, “is exactly the same pain. If we, who paid the highest price, together can make peace, anyone can.” Kelly Hayes-Raitt

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Anita’s Animals By Jackie Kellum

here are several reasons why it is better for most people to adopt an adult cat or dog, rather than a kitten or puppy. These reasons are: you’ll know exactly what size the pet will be as an adult, their personalities are pretty much already established, they tend to dash around less causing you to trip over them, are more often content to just relax in your company, and, mainly, they really seem to understand that they’ve been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it and you! What should you do if your dog is lost? Prevention is the best first step. How many times have we heard/ read about a lost dog and find out the poor lost creature does not have a collar much less an ID tag. Why is that? It does not take very much time or money to have an ID tag made. Two local places that make them: the Animal Shelter and the pet food store next to where Vet. Luz Marie office had been located. If your dog already has an ID tag, make sure the phone contact info is current. Having a [recent] picture of your dog is also helpful – it can be used for posters to alert your neighborhood, local vets, animal rescue groups, shelters and local web boards about your lost pet. It is suggested that you do not include your name and address, nor the pet’s name, and leave off distinguishing features of the pet , so you can be sure that the person

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calling alling really does have your dog. dog Only include neutered, if yes, otherwise don’t include this info, especially if it’s a “pure breed” dog, so the finder is less likely to try to keep your dog for breeding. The poster should include a picture of the pet, only a phone number, and the area and date where he was last seen, on the reward poster. As soon as you believe your dog is missing, walk through your neighborhood calling his name. Ask friends to help search locally, including the local kids you know. Let your neighbors know about your lost pet. You want as many people as possible to see the picture of your dog, so if they see it in person, they might recognize it. A frightened dog can travel a longer distance than you might imagine in a short amount of time, and/or it will seek a place to hide. When they are scared they become disoriented and may not be able to find their way home again on their own. It may take more than several days to locate him, so keep up the search efforts. Help others when someone else’s dog is lost, as you would hope others would help you. Anita’s Animals.com website includes a helpful item called: Pet GodParents. This tab has a form that you can complete and print to have available in your house. It helps you organize information about your pet and its care, in the event someone else needs to take over the care of your pet. Do not wait until there is an emergency and assume someone else can and will take responsibility for your pet/pets. The website also has a PayPal donation section, with the ability to set up an automatic regular donation for Anita’s rescue work.

NEW N EW MATH! MATH!

purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried... Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1960s: 1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school) A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit? 2. Teaching Math In 1970s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit? 3. Teaching Math In 1980s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No 4. Teaching Math In 1990s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20. 5. Teaching Math In 2000s A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the

question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok). 6. Teaching Math In 2012 Un hachero vende una carretada de madera por $100. El costo de la produccion es de $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho? ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a front for his pot farm.

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RIDERS R IDERS S OF F THE E PU PURPLE URPLE SAGE —100 — 100 Years Yearss Later Latter By Lorin Swinehart

e rides alone and silent into the little Utah town of Cottonwoods in 1871. Stern, determined, a man of few words, he arrives astride a magnificent stallion, clothed in black leather and toting a pair of Colt .45 revolvers. The locals, courageous when safe within the anonymity of the mob, scurry hastily from his path. His name is Lassiter. His reputation as a gunfighter has preceded him. He is a man on a mission, determined to locate the grave of his sister, Mille Erne. He holds Mormons responsible for her death. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of things have good reason to fear him.

Some in S i Cottonwoods C d are defi d finitely on the wrong side of things. The Mormon Church in the region has been usurped by two local thugs, Elder Tull and Bishop Dyer, who have created a personality cult centered upon themselves. Tull has designs upon the ranchlands of the beautiful Jane

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Withersteen. If Tull can force the hapless Jane to marry him, he acquires her land, buildings, including the opulent Withersteen House, and luxurious herds of cattle and horses. Like all such types, he finds sufficient accomplices, bullies and sycophants to do his bidding. Lassiter appears in time to prevent the whipping of Bern Venter, Jane’s ranch hand, by a mob led by Tull. Venter’s crime seems to be his status as a non-Mormon and Jane’s defense of him. The gang disperses when confronted by the death- dealing Lassiter. In Lassiter we find the prototype for every western hero to stride across the pages of a tales of the western frontier. Matt Dillon, Wyatt Earp, Cheyenne, Brett Maverick, Walker—Texas Ranger and countless others are cast in his mold. We see him represented in such classic western movies as Shane and the more recent Free Range and Crossfire Trail. The radio and TV characters the Lone Ranger and Sgt. Preston were based upon Grey’s characters. Zane Grey’s tales manifest no ambivalence. The lines between good and evil are clearly delineated, and the good guys confront the bad guys without fear or equivocation. Grey’s world is inhabited by strong western men and strong western women. Jane is such a character but made vulnerable by her adherence to the dictates of the local sect and her determination to prevent violence. Lassiter kills Elder Tull by causing a rockslide while rescuing Jane’s kidnapped adopted daughter Fay. Venter dispatches the wicked bishop before his entire congregation and kills the leader of a gang of rustlers, wounding a mysterious masked rider, who turns out to be Bess, a girl with whom he subsequently falls in love. Lassiter and Jane flee to a hidden valley, and Venter and Bess escape to his farm in Illinois. While Lassiter and Venter have not “cleaned up the town” in classical horse opera fashion, they have rescued the damsels in distress and ridden off into the sunset.

Riders of the Purple Sage became Grey’s first bestseller, causing him to become the world’s first millionaire author. It remains to this day the world’s best western novel. Grey would produce 90 books and become a household name. Many of his works appeared in movies and TV programs. Grey’s fame as a fisherman and adventurer rivaled his reputation as an author. His enthusiasm for fishing began with his tutelage under an elderly hermit known locally as Old Muddy Miser near his boyhood home of Zanesville, Ohio. To this day, Grey holds several world records. His love of adventure took him around the world, to remote western wildernesses and ocean expanses off the coast of New Zealand. Grey began his career as a dentist, following in his father’s footsteps, but he became bored with his practice and remained determined to become a writer. Riders of the Purple Sage was published after several failed attempts to make a name for himself. Perhaps more than any other writer, he captures the immensity of the American West, its sun-baked prairies, scorching deserts, vast expanses, biting cold, blistering heat, incredible loneliness, toxic water, dangerous animals and short tempers. His love of the West and of nature caused him to become an early advocate for the environment, protesting logging, mining and overgrazing practices. When I was a boy growing up in my small Midwestern town, my friends and I would argue endlessly over who was the greatest cowboy: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry or Hopalong Cassidy. Knowing full well that a cowboy’s best friend was his horse, we conducted similar debates over which was the world’s greatest equine: Trigger, Champion or Topper. I have no idea what small boys argue about today. I do know that my generation owed a great debt to Zane Grey for creating Lassiter, the prototype for all those other heroes of yesteryear.

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Hearts at Work A Column by James Tipton “Eat Me If You Wish”

ately I have once again been realizing how often I find myself “in the lion’s den,” whether that is facing in reality a macho and loco Mexican relative who is pointing his loaded .45 automatic at me and threatening to kill me, or whether it is facing something inside of me—which the immediate experience, whatever it is, gives me the opportunity to see—some old and unresolved resentment or jealousy or hope or fear…that, in its own way, is also threatening to kill me. In the latest issue of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review (Spring 2012), a wonderful writer, Aura Glaser, “a dharma teacher and psychologist,” asks the question, “How do we let life with all of its disappointments and sorrows soften our heart?”

Glaser then Gl th hen tells us a story about Milarepa, one of the most widely known Tibetan saints, “that illuminates the often bumpy road we travel in the process of releasing resistance and making peace with ourselves.” The story is simple and straightforward. Milarepa lived in a cave and one day he went out to gather wood for his fire. He returned to find his cave “taken over by demons.” He first tried to chase them out with force, but “the demons are completely unfazed. In fact, the more he chases them, the more comfortable and

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settled-in they seem to be.” Then Milarepa tries another approach. He decides to share his wisdom with them, to teach them the ways of Buddha, talking to them about “existence and nonexistence, compassion and kindness, the nature of impermanence.” The demons show no interest whatsoever in this and they continue to “stare at him with their huge bulging eyes.” Milarepa realizes the demons will neither leave nor listen to him and so he bows before each demon and says, “It looks like we’re going to be here together. I open myself to whatever you have to teach me.” Suddenly all of the demons disappear—except one, the “huge and especially fierce demon, with flaring nostrils and dripping fangs.” Milarepa knows there is nothing he can do but offer himself to the experience. Deciding to hold nothing back, he boldly steps over to the demon and says: “Eat me if you wish.” Those demons come from all of the parts of us we have pushed down. When those parts—everything we have suppressed and rejected in ourselves—start to surface, they pay attention neither to our polite requests nor to our efforts to force them to leave. Milarepa’s first

response to the demons (which Glaser points out may have been hiding in his cave for a long time) is to push them out. The direct attack does not work, so Milarepa tries manipulation in the guise of teaching, hoping that he can “fix them.” The author reminds us, “There is a lot of room for self-deception here.” “True transcendence,” Glaser suggests, “is the deepest form of intimacy because nothing is excluded from its embrace.” Too often “we use spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with our painful feelings, unresolved wounds, and basic needs. Avoiding our full humanity actually stunts our spiritual growth and prevents real spiritual maturity.” Milarepa gives up both the idea of forcing the demons out and of fixing them. He must now surrender and give himself to the most terrifying demon of them all. “Eat me if you wish,” he says, and then he places his head into the demon’s mouth. Suddenly the “demon bows low and dissolves into space.” What is happening here? Glaser tells us that in this final part of the story “Milarepa relinquishes his solutions and strategies and surrenders to the presence of the demons and to whatever they may have to teach him. At this point we begin to see everything that arises as an opportunity to deepen our understanding and to soften our heart…..We are willing to be with our experience, whatever it is, without judgment, without trying to fix it or get rid of it.” When we reach this state of understanding, of willingness to give ourselves to experience, to stand before the biggest demon of all and place our head into its mouth, we discover that “the source of wisdom is in whatever is in front of us—it is in whatever is arising in this moment.” Jim Tipton

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UNDER THE RUBBER TREE Ode to the Ajijic Writers’ Group When I first came upon the rubber tree I dared proclaim myself a poet, Raising my personal bar, Quivering through my scribbled verse And jumping off the edge. But you were there to catch me With love to nurture my new life As one of you, struggling Under the rubber tree. And as I sit under its great canopy And listen to you who have lived greatly As you speak stories drawn from deep Within your rivers and your fires, I am grateful to have found my way To your company, to taste your tears And live through your creative eyes Under the rubber tree. And the writers speak loudly and wisely But the rubber tree is older than us all, And its wide trunk has heard all the stories And watched as the writers drink too much wine And mutter among themselves, craning for wise words, But the rubber tree is always silent As it presides over these old expats Who return to speak, and to listen, And to finally speak their truth. By Bill Frayer

Walking The Walk By Jeannette Saylor

A butterfly passes the morning glory preferring spirea or the Angel rose. Nearby a Maple in October’s breeze loves its colors spinning free with its whirls. A hummer dances near the window pane staring at persons it wants to scold. The black and red robin is festive today He believes that Spring is following him. Alone on the pole is a meadowlark singing a tune for its mate nearby And a honey bee, having traveled for miles, Takes a quick rest on the white garden gate. Walking today brought all this to me Bright living colors of nature’s talk. I smiled since I knew it starts every day And does not make a dead end stop.

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A NEW LEASE LEASE— —on Life! By Judit Rajhathy, B.A., RNCP, D.Ac. A Pain in The Ass (A hemorrhoid story gone bad)

his is a true story that just happened to an acquaintance of mine and before you read this I will preface this by saying yes, there are doctors and clinics at Lakeside that would never be so unprofessional as this, but be aware and follow the simple steps I outline below, should you be diagnosed with a health condition. The story begins with hemorrhoids - yep - those pesky little things that hurt like heck! So Ms. A is diagnosed by a general practitioner in a local clinic that she has hemorrhoids and that surgery would be prudent. The estimate for this procedure was $25,000 pesos to be paid over a period of three months. She was told that he would be accompanying the gastroenterologist during the surgery. Instead he sent another doctor. $8,000 pesos was paid toward the bill. After the surgery, Ms. A is told that one internal hemorrhoid could not be removed because “removal could cause toxicity”, she “may have to wear an external bag for the rest of her life” and that her “sphincter could suffer permanent damage.” At first, Ms. A believed the story but shortly thereafter, checked in a mirror and could clearly see that she still had hemorrhoids! In a followup appointment, she proceeded to voice her concerns to her doctor, insisting that he examine her again. He refused. She was told to put her clothes back on and that what she was experiencing was simply “inflammation.” Ms. A then went for a second and third opinion. It was agreed that, indeed, she still had hemorrhoids including the same three large ones that were supposedly removed during surgery. One of the new physicians said she needed to see a proctologist, because they specialize in matters having to do with the rectum - more so than a gastroenterologist. It was recommended she have another surgery to remove them, which the

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first surgery obviously didn’t do. So less than one month later Ms. A underwent a second surgery - this time in Guadalajara - which cost another $18,000 pesos - not to mention the pain and humiliation of having to expose her butt to what now amounted to five new male doctors! In the meantime, Ms. A and her husband were receiving threatening phone calls from the original clinic, demanding that they pay the remainder of the bill and that if they didn’t, they would be deported! Needless to say, Mr. and Ms. A were frightened, being in a foreign country and not knowing legal protocols. As a result of all this stress, Ms. A developed shingles! More pain and as if this was not bad enough . . . About six weeks to the day of her first surgery, Ms. A woke up to a knock on the door only to find an unmarked car and three police trucks with dogs and rifles at her front door. The officers insisted that she sign a document or she would be thrown into jail in Chapala. Since contacting a lawyer, the threats have now subsided. The moral of the story? Get the physician to put the detailed diagnosis in writing. Make sure the treatment plan is in writing. Make sure the entire price of the proposed treatment(s) is in writing as well as a proposed payment plan. Always get two or three medical opinions out the outset - your health is worth it. Ask for patient references and speak to them about their experiences with the clinic and physicians. Would Ms. A follow these steps next time? You bet your sweet ass! Judit Rajhathy

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CSI Chapala is pleased to announce the implementation of the following safety initiatives:

“Anonymous Witness” Hotline (01-800-8391416) 2. Re-launch of Neighborhood Watch Program 3. Installation of a new phone system at the Chapala Police station and bilingual phone answering. 1. “Anonymous Witness” Hotline (01-800-839-1416) CSI Chapala is very pleased to announce the commencement of the “Anonymous Witness” Hotline, effective as of February 2. Our committee has worked closely with the Chapala Municipality, especially our Police Chief, Captain Reynol Contreras, who has been extremely supportive of this effort. The “Anonymous Witness” Hotline is modeled after Crime Stoppers International, an international non-government organization that helps citizens to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime all over the world. Crime Stoppers is now successfully assisting police in 28 countries worldwide. Overview Solving crimes effectively cannot be done by the police alone. Criminals are not ghosts. They live among us, law abiding citizens. Every criminal has a neighbor.

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Through the community’s “eyes and ears”, critical information and tips can be provided to the police, which they may not otherwise receive, that could be vital in bringing criminals to justice. In the past, there have been concerns by citizens about personally reporting such information for fear of reprisals. Now you can safely help stop the people who are depriving the peace from our community by calling the toll-free “Anonymous Witness” Hotline (01-800-8391416) with information about a criminal activity and the callers’ anonymity is guaranteed. You can make a difference. You can become an anonymous hero. How does it work? You call the Mexican toll free number, 01-800-839-1416. This call is completely confidential. The call is automatically transferred to Canada, to an independent and professional call center which is part of Crime Stoppers International, and it will be answered, in either Spanish or English, by a professional operator. The operator will ask you a series of questions in order to better understand your information. That operator is not interested in who you are, but rather in what you know. The operator does not have a caller ID on the phone and your phone number will not be recorded. Not even the police, who will receive the information you provide, will be able to find out your identity. The information from the call will be transcribed and sent securely via email, in Spanish, to the Chapala Police. This information will also be sent to an unnamed private citizen who will review the leads with the Police Chief on a routine basis. By guaranteeing a caller`s anonymity, Anonymous Witness allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution.

LETTERS L ETTERS IN N THE THE “D “DEAD DEAD F FILE” IL LE”

ear Noah, uld ld We could yo ou u have sworn you ng said the Ark wasn’t leaving till 5. Sincerely, Unicorns Dear Twilight fans, Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection. Enjoy fantasizing about that. Sincerely, Logic Dear Icebergs, Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma’s a bitch. Sincerely, The Titanic Dear America , You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment. Sincerely, Canada Dear Yahoo, I’ve never heard anyone say, “I don’t know, let’s Yahoo! it...” just saying... Sincerely, Google Dear 2010, So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WTF happened? Sincerely, 1985 Dear girls who have been dumped, There are plenty of fish in the sea...

Dear Ugly People, You’re welcome. Sincerely, Alcohol Dear Mr. Gump WTF are you talking about? There’s a little diagram on the inside of the box that tells you EXACTLY what you’re gonna get! Sincerely, Jenny Dear World, Please stop freaking out about 2012. Our calendar ends there because some

Spanish dirt bags invaded our country and we got a little busy, ok? Sincerely, The Mayans Dear White People, Don’t you just hate immigrants? Sincerely, Native Americans Dear iPhone, Please stop spell checking all of my rude words into nice words. You piece of shut. Sincerely, Every iPhone User

Just kidding! They’re mostly dead. Sincerely, BP Oil Dear Saturn, I liked it, so I put a ring on it. Sincerely, God Dear Fox News, So far, no news about foxes. Sincerely, Unimpressed Dear Skin-Colored Band Aids, Please make one for every skin color. Sincerely, Black people Dear Scissors, I feel your pain.....no one wants to run with me either. Sincerely, Sarah Palin Dear World of Warcraft, Thank you for ensuring my son’s virginity. Sincerely, Parents Everywhere Dear Customers, Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese. Sincerely, Nail Salon Ladies

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KITES K IT TES S AND AND CANARIES CANARIES S FORBIDDEN FORBID DDEN N By Terry Pitzner

itting in Study Hall, 9th grade, 1956, at Washington Jr. High School, I intensely studied my newly acquired “Afghan Hounds” book I’d bought with my paper-boy earnings. This was the beginning of my life long infatuation with Afghanistan. Here, unbeknown to a snot-nosed, 14 year old kid, began his quest to merge his destiny with Afghanistan. As I devoured this book, my obsession for Afghanistan peaked. I discovered Afghan Hounds were bred to hunt large game by running it down, grabbing it by the throat and with its pivotal rear hip joints, stop and snap the neck of its prey. So much for our illusion of the grand, hair flowing,

arrogant, prancing show dog. Eventually, I bred, showed and coursed Afghan Hounds. People would say “Afghan Hounds are really dumb. They are strong-willed and unable to be trained.” Now, this seems to be the same assessment that the world makes of Afghans in general. I do know that Afghan Hounds are proud, devoted and cooperative if they’re respected and not forced into submission—as are all the Afghan women and men I got to know, live and work with, for seven years. I bit the bullet at the age of 44, I left the laid back life on Cape Cod and I moved to Boston. I applied to the New England School of Photography (NE-

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SOP) and was accepted into their full time professional program. I majored in Documentary/Art genre, Black and White photography. While working on finals, my interest in Afghanistan came up and a classmate said, “Oh, my father just came back from Pakistan, where he worked for Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Afghan refugees. Would you like to talk with him?” Well … yeeeaaa!” Four months later, the door to my dreams opened. I would be in Peshawar, Pakistan, working as a volunteer for the NGO, International Medical Corp (IMC). My job, among many, was to organize triages for volunteer US Orthopedic Surgeons and photographically document the war injuries and compile patient records for referral to doctors and hospitals from all around the world and who were willing to provide medical and surgical service to the war injured, at no cost. For the first month, I felt I was living a movie. This was my first foreign experience, except for Mexico and I was in my element. There were exotic people everywhere. I could drive through the Old Khyber Bazaar; look, or should I say gawk, at the mysterious, beautiful and antique treasures in the Old Peshawar. Carpets and gold were everywhere. Now, this was a street photographer’s fantasy. I began my kick- ass portfolio. After two extremely rewarding years playing a role in healing hundreds of war injured children, women and men with IMC, I returned to Boston. I was in culture shock for a month and finally decided I really needed to go back to Provincetown, to focus on my photography and try to re-adjust to a capitalist culture again (just the cereal isle at the Stop & Shop, overwhelmed me). In Provincetown, Jessop Gallery offered me my first Gallery Exhibition. These photographs led to my first position for the UN, as a UN Volunteer (UNV). My job? Develop and manage Saki Camp in Mazar I Sharif, Afghanistan. The refugees fleeing Tajikistan’s

civil war were beginning to cross the Emu River under gun fire from the rebels. They were running for their lives, the elderly were shivering and blue, babies were being washed off their parent’s shoulders and lost in raging waters. The temperature was well below freezing and they were finding their way to Saki Camp, which had only been in the process of developing for a few days. Supplies, food and clothing were just beginning to trickle in. This was my first experience of receiving refugees on the front line. The weather was brutal. Thirty mile an hour winds at sub-freezing temperature, blowing snow and sand, made all aspects of receiving, sheltering and feeding the thousands of Tajikistan Refugees, horrific. There were two small satellite camps that were developed to provide assistance to the Tajik refugees on their way to the major Saki Camp. These camps were too close to the Tajikistan/ Afghanistan border and Tajik Rebels were regularly coming to these camps and forcing boys and young men to go to Tajikistan and fight the government troops, against their will. I went to the camps to inform the refugees we would move them in three days. As I was about to leave the second camp, with my Administrative Assistant, Qadeer, our vehicle began to be barraged with rocks. My first reaction was to floor it and then … there he was … a boy, about 14-15 years old, squatted in front of my vehicle, with a Kalashnikov aimed at my face. I paused, but reading the fear on his face, “Do I … don’t I … do I … don’t I?” I stopped the car and took our chances. They hauled us out and shoved us into a tent, while pushing guns in our faces. The major Tajic Rebel, Abdul, was pissed because I was drying up his source of young fighters. Qadeer was rattled. I saw the fear in his face and his attempt to maintain his composure. Headlines would be sensational and we all knew it. Qadeer explained why we had to move the camps and how it was moving refugees out of harm’s way. After five hours, I suggested “don’t kill the messenger”. Still under guns, I told them we were only delivering my Chief’s message. They asked me if it was possible to talk with my chief. I said, “I could arrange a meeting Tuesday.” Abdul said he’d be back from fighting in Tajikistan by then and unbelievably … they released us. It was scary, but I never really thought they’d kill us. Later, when the Taliban held me hostage, I was never sure if they were going to kill me or not … more later. Terry Pitzner

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FROM THE GRAPEVINE By Robert Kleffel and Noemí Paz Grape Expectations History of Wine in Mexico

ernán Cortes,the first governor of New Spain, ordered new colonists to plant 1,000 grapevines for every 100 natives in their service. The grapes flourished in New Spain and in 1531, Charles I decreed that all ships sailing to New Spain carry grapevines and olive trees to be planted there. The quality of Mexican wine improved so much that wine exports from Spain to their new colony dropped dramatically. In 1699 the Spanish king Charles II in desperate need of cash prohibited wine making in Mexico, with the exception of wine for Church purposes. From then until Mexico’s Independence, wine was produced in Mexico only on a small scale Spanish authorities continued to eliminate the fledgling wine industry. It became one of many contentious issues between the Crown and colony. In the early 19th century, Spanish soldiers were sent to Dolores (later Dolores Hidalgo), with orders to destroy all vineyards. Miguel Hidalgo, the local parish priest, maintained a wine cellar and vineyards. The destruction of his vineyards may have been “the last straw” and the revolution was on. President Porfirio Diaz and the Russians. Part of a campaign of modernization and industrialization was to reinvigorate viticulture in the country. Diaz invited successful California wine makers to stimulate the wine industry. At about the same time, the area now known as the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, received an influx of Russian pacifists opposed to the Czarist wars. These Russian colonists discovered that Baja California had the perfect climate for grapes and immediately began planting grapevines. The Valle de Guadalupe is the “Napa Valley” of the Mexican wine industry. It is located in northern Baja California, near Ensenada about 90 miles south of San Diego. It is home to about 50 wineries and produces 90% of all Mexican wines. L.A. Cetto winery in Mexico has a 50% market share. Its climate is Mediterranean with proximity to the Pacific Ocean breezes, making for cool mornings and evenings, only about 7-9 inches of rain per year, and warm to hot days. Red wine dominates the production, but some producers, with careful handling, make exceptional whites. Casa Madero, founded in 1597, is the oldest winery in the Americas which continues to this day. Their award-winning wines include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc,

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Robert and Noemi and Syrah. The Parras (grapevines) Valley in Coahuila has very special climatic conditions. Being almost a mile in elevation, it’s semi-arid. Grapevines love it, and the low humidity and cool nights means fewer grape-loving bugs and fungus. President Madero of Mexico (1910) studied agronomy at UC Berkeley to help his family’s winery. Ninety percent of Casa Madero wines are exported to the fine restaurants of Europe. A few bottles are available locally. There are three areas in Mexico where wine grapes are grown. The North area includes Baja California (Valle de Guadalupe), the La Laguna area in Coahuila and Durango and the Central area which includes Zacatecas, Aguascalientes and Querétaro. Many of the grapes produced in the central valley are used to make Brandy. Quality Mexican Wines— Monte XanicCalixa Cabernet/Syrah $17.12 USD Santo Tomas Tempranillo/Cabernet $11.85 USD Casa Madero - Cabernet/Merlot/Tempranillo $19.15 USD Casa Madero - Chardonnay/ Chenin Blanc $11.35 USD Monte Xanic - Chenin Blanc (Silver Medal) $15.50 USD Wine lovers are very familiar with wines from Monte Xanic and Madero wines even though most of their wines are sold to fine restaurants in the United States and Europe. Santo Tomas has been known for jug wines of questionable quality. Times have changed. Santo Tomas has great land and has been producing wine for at least 200 years. The Santo Tomas Tempranillo/ Cabernet listed above has been described as “an elegant red wine, with intense ripe red fruit aromas and spicy notes, velvety on mouth with a long finish. It is great for Mediterranean food.” Noemí Paz licorespaz@hotmail.com Robert Kleffel bkleffel@hotmail.com

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By Paul Jackson paulconradjackson@gmail.com

ave now watched Meryl Streep’s magnificent portrayal of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady movie three times and am still enthralled. Streep initially had a very negative opinion of Thatcher, but after researching her role she came to a far different assessment discovering nuances to Thatcher she had never known - such as appointing members of minority groups - including homosexuals - to senior positions in her government and fully supporting Britain’s socialized medicare system. A nuance Streep hasn’t mentioned but which is in Thatcher’s memoirs is when the Iron Lady describes Clement Attlee as a “patriot” and unlike so many politicians of today an individual of “substance, rather than show.” So who was Clement Attlee, the individual one of the foremost Conservative leaders of our times, lavished such

Paul Jackson praise on? Why none other than the socialist prime minister of Great Britain between 1945-51 who took the nation on a leftwing course, almost overnight having the government take over fully 20% of British industry. Attlee also brought in universal health care and more social welfare programs than all the prime ministers before him put together. From education reforms to jobless and sick benefits to free eye glasses and free funeral expenses, he spread out the so-called ‘cradle-tograve’ schemes much of the world has today. Yet he was also fiercely anti-Communist. He also feared the strength of overly powerful big union leaders with their own interests at heart rather than those of their members or their nation - think, of the Service Employees

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International Union (SEIU) today. Also of President Barack Obama’s abortive pledge to abolish the secret ballot for union certification. Obama should read up on Attlee’s experience. It was Attlee who actually gave President Harry Truman the idea of creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a bulwark against the Soviet Union, and demanded Britain have its own independent nuclear deterrent. Today, through the regimes of various Conservative and Socialist governments, Britain has maintained its independent fleet of nuclear attack submarines and nuclear attack fighter bombers—all engineered by a socialist who hated Communism. Attlee is one reason when I hear the naive and foolish equate Democratic Socialism with Communism, I quietly walk away from listening to such nonsense. That’s even though I am surely no socialist myself. I’m a Margaret Thatcher-Ronald Reagan Conservative all the way. Of course, Attlee made mistakes - the government takeover of large swaths of industry turned into a disaster - think of current government bail-outs now - but postwar Britain was crushed at the time and needed rapid re-building. The mammoth ‘free’ cradle-to-grave social and welfare pro-

grams were immediately abused and had to be slowly whittled down. Right now, the increasingly zany antics of the European - and now the American Liberal-Left - are making independent voters take second looks at just how far governments should go. But, again as a dedicated Conservative, born amidst the rubble of wartorn Britain, I agree with Thatcher that socialist Attlee was right in giving the worn-out British people security nets, and in defining the line between Democratic Socialism and Communism. Now, please go and see Meryl Streep’s movie.

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todoflcs@yahoo.com

clippy1020@gmail.com

Each year, when April rolls around, most of us usually think of showers (or Al Jolson). Local organizations were way too busy to let rain dampen any part of Lakeside’s cultural parade…… for instance: a sensational concert took place at Supper Club #4 with Galen, one of the world’s greatest piano entertainers: He, and his 3-musicians, entertained absolute top drawer quality with a concert to be remembered forever… The concert was so popular that a demand for additional performances gave us three more evenings of sheer entertainment. One means it when it is said: “Viva la Galen”….. The new/latest Board of officers and directors for LCS 2012-13 has been voted upon and a dandy one, indeed……Chili Cook-off-2012 drowned, but stronger things are in store for the charities who depend on the annual rewards...... Northern Lights glowed brighter than ever with ten days of spectacular performances….and “A Taste of Broadway,” LLT’s February musical, sent everyone home with tapping toes and singing our hearts out. Lakeside is a valley full of talents with a huge variety of expressions. Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members voted in a new slate of officers for 20122013. The new board has their work cut out for them trying to match what was produced by the 2011-12 Board’s working with the Children’s Art Program. The unveiling of a giant mural dedicated to the legacy of Neill James for her body of work took place in February. To newcomers arriving in the area: LCS is located in Ajijic on 16 de Septiembre, #16-A at Calle Roman Corona. Main Office: (376) 766-1140 offers Lakeside information and services. Office is open Monday – Saturday, 10 to 2 pm. Grounds remain open for meditation and solace until 5 pm. 2012-13: LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Howard Feldstein Executive Director – Terry Vidal Vice-President - Fred Harland Treasurer - Paula Haarvei Secretary - John Rider Additional community leaders have become directors at large: Karen Blue, Lois Cugini, Aurora Michel Galindo, Cate Howell, Ann D. Houck, Wallace Mills, Erik Slebos, Sharon Smith, and Ben White. Get to know them! They will do you proud. LCS’ Education Programs (at the WEC Center) retains as many Mexican students as possible during the school/learning year. Salutes and genuine congratulations to everyone. The rain soaked, ill-fated 2012 Chili Cook-off has passed, and many local charities, usually supported by funds raised during the annual Cook-off’s giant affair, will be forced this year to face the fact that something else must be developed to make up for their financial losses. Sympathetic Lakesiders have been donating money to keep spirits alive. Bravo to those who really care and help. The 10th Anniversary Northern Lights Music Festival (NLMF) performed to record attendance this year. The lake valley seems quiet now since all of the musicians have (sailed-flowndriven) themselves home to Canada or their next spectacular performance elsewhere in the world. With such major talents that Artistic Director Chris Wilshere imports each year, no wonder it is a Sold-Out Affair often before any music is performed. ‘Trust’ is the greatest compliment anyone can pay an artist—and with the caliber of Wilshere’s eye-and-ear, one is speaking of “Tiffany quality in its finest glitter.” Sue Hoeppner As part of this 2012 Tenth Anniversary season, flautist Sue Hoeppner delivered a tour de force concert that could not be out-done anywhere in the world. What a glorious sound coming from such tal-

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ented hands and lips. This lovely and super talented lady cannot be over-shadowed by anyone. Oh, what a musical can do for your spirit and heart! LLT served up one helluva show in “A Taste of Broadway” directed by our own Barbara Clippinger. It took a lady’s hand to pull 32 recognizable tunes into a toe-tapping, sing-along that was filled with everything theatrical that can be imagined. What a great show to introduce fresh new talent heretofore unknown to most Lakesiders. “A Taste of Broadway” turned into the ‘musical of musicals’ arriving as a premiere for LLT. This original musical was received by packed houses for a sold-out run. A breathtaking quality was presented by a brilliant dancer and choreographer, Alexis Hoff. All of the singing was live and thrilling thanks to Patteye Simpson. It will long be remembered as being one of LLT’s greatest theatrical moments in its nearly fifty years of delivering some of the best theatre south of the border! If you have not met the following four people you should. Each one will brighten your entire day: Richard Williams has done more with his teaching skills with “hands-on-woodworking—(carpentry)” for those young men and women who desire to work with their hands. He has created careers for Lakeside’s youth. Many of them are now working commercially and making a living doing so. Richard Williams is the man who created the program at LCS several years ago. Salutes to him, his support volunteer army of co-talents, and to LCS for living up to their motto: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE. For anyone desiring to work with wood and wishing to help Richard, he can be reached by email: rgwms10@ 0@ hotmail.com Of all people ople living at Lakekeside, Mooyeen een King is a Woman of the Year. She is an Richard Williams ideal lady to follow ow the 2011 Woman of the Year, Joan Frost! Even though the 2012 Lakeside Commmunity Awards could not take place as previously scheduled ed and thereby officially presenting nominee Mooyeen King to the e public, there is no way of hiding the importance of this ladyy from being 2012 Woman of the Year! This column wishes to o present a temporary crown until the real thing happens! It’s a perfect fit in size and stature. Mooyeen’s extraordinary dedication to charity work is something most of us would like to do, but fatigue and resources, keep us from it. When we speak of Lakeside legends the name of Ruth Boyes glows all by itself. Ruth has been a leading figure for many, many years both with the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) and the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). Ruth taught many of us in the theatre what being a good stage manager was capable of doing when delivering a hit show by night. By day, she also showed us what stamina was capable of being expressed during a working decade or two in a library. Everyone at LCS praises Ruth for her exquisite ability at being a leader in the active literary world. Time to retire takes her away from us, but

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Mural by Javier Zaragoza and Jesus Lopez Vega

legendary memories will live on and on and on for generations of followers in footsteps made easy by a trouper extraordinaire. Executive Director Terry Vidal helped LCS pulled off the greatest coups in its vibrant 57 year history: the fantastic mural on the LCS grounds dedicated to it’s benefactor, Neill James, and her devotion to the Children’s Art Program, now it its 56th year. Have you read Mexico Limpio by former Lakesider John Hoopes yet? For anyone living at Lakeside, it could be your best read of this decade. Have fun with this one, it is a BUCKET LIST item that calls for a read as soon as possible. Worry not, there is an already printed “sequel” coming out titled “Max and Carlotta In Mexico”…. another inside romp through Mexico with people we recognize immediately.

VIVA LA MUSICA is preparing musical treats for everyone during the spring months. Contact Marshall Krantz marshallallenkrantz@yahoo.com or go to the LCS ticket sales area on Fridays, for any of the following: 1. “Live from the Met” April 28 La Traviata, by G. Verdi…second bus is filling up fast. Tickets, $300 for members. 2. Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra: The JPO is offering a post-season concert on April 29 featuring Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet overture. 3. Sunday April 1: Adams, Mozart and Mahler – few seats still available.. Tickets $250 members and $350 for non- members. Payment must be made 2 weeks before each concert because Viva must purchase tickets ahead of time. 4. Possible overnight trip: Viva is considering organizing accommodation at Guadalajara’s Hotel Morales for the night of John Hoopes April 28, following La Traviata, returning to Ajijic on April 29 after a JPO matinee. The cost would be approximately $1,500 including the hotel, transportation, the concert and the opera. If this idea is of interest, please respond! Jalisco Secretary of Culture and The Centro Cultural González Gallo Cordially Invite You to Impresiones de México (Impressions of Mexico) Featuring the art of 12 artists residing at Lake Chapala Opening Reception April 21, 2012: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Botañas and Drinks Maryann Linhart Libby Shipman Lois Schroff Bev Kephart Geraldine Classen Winnie Hunt Joan Lowndes Varn Anita Lee Martha Bryce Julie Mignard Sunny Sorensen The show will remain hanging until May 30, 2012 April 7 – 16th: (LLT) presents a farce about sex and aging in the time of the

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little blue pill: “Sex Please, We Are Sixty.” Written by Susan and Michael Parker, and directed by Pat Carroll. A newly developed, little blue pill, just for “menopausal women” gets into the wrong hands. Prim and proper Rose Cottage Inn will never be the same… and neither will Bud the Stud.” Purchasing tickets at LLT from 10 - noon starting Thursday, April 5. Performances nightly:7:30 pm. Bar opens at 6:30 pm. Sunday matinees at 3 pm. For more information, visit LLT website:www.lakesidelittletheatre.com Lakesider Honored! On March 23 at the “Talentos de la Ribera” show, in the midst of that delightful fund-raiser for the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Chapala, Lakeside educator Robert Kleffel was honored for more than a decade of efforts on behalf of the Instituto and its students. The honor? A big one! The Director of the Instituto, Morris Schwarzblat, announced that the recently completed Auditorio at the Instituto will be named “The Robert Kleffel Auditorio.” A ceremony will take place in April, but in the meantime, our hats off to you Señor Kleffel! Monthly Games Day Begins at LCS: In the works beginning Saturday, March 31, LCS is offering a Monthly Games Day! Show up Saturdays (10 - 2 p.m.) and choose among Texas Hold‘em, Mexican Train, Scrabble, Rummy Tiles, Hand & Foot, card games, darts or Robert Kleffel horseshoes. Other games will be added depending on interest. Volunteers will be on hand to teach you while learning new games and make new friends. No-host bar will be open offering Bloody Mary’s, beer, wine , and soft drinks. Games are free to LCS members. Non-members will be asked to pay a small donation. LCS grounds open as usual including all regular Saturday programs and services, including the El Patio coffee and snack bar. Saturday Games’ Day days will be: April 21, May 19, June 23, August 18 but no Games Day in July. More information, contact: Patricia Doran, 766-0794. DOG/CAT FOOD DRIVE Animal Shelter – Riberas With the cooperation and help of Geoffrey of/at the Animal Shelter, several members of “Animal Buddies” will be holding a Food Drive on the third Thursday of each month: 10:30 – 1:30. With your purchase you will be helping the Shelter animals as well as Anita’s Animals, or your choice of animal rescue group. Please, if you can, help us feed the less fortunate animals. If you can not make it to the food drive you can make a purchase of dog/cat food at anytime for Anita’s or your choice of animal rescue group. The shelter will hold for pickup, please let them know that there is a paid food purchase waiting for them. We all need loving care, and this is a way you can provide it. Hollywood Takes Care Of Remembering It’s Own. The 70th Anniversary of one of the all-time-greatest films is celebrating a birthday. Film aficionados worldwide are not exaggerating when they claim that the 1942 film “Casablanca” might be the most quoted work of dramatic fiction since “Hamlet” by Shakespeare. Audiences in 500 movie theatres across the USA will experience the time-honored classic starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Sidney Greenstreet and Paul Henried in a new stunning digital presentation by Warner Home Video. To further enhance the event, TCM with their TV host Robert Osborne will discuss the film’s enduring legacy and reveal some of its fascinating behind the scenes’ stories. Watch for Movie/TV’s brand new prints released shortly after the big first-run party in April, 2012. Protection Hint: Warn everyone not to make this mistake! A fire resulted recently when a Lakesider (by accident) left an iPhone charger/docking station plugged into a car outlet. It over-heated starting a fire at night while parked in a garage. Please unplug anything you have in your car outlets once you turn off your car’s motor! Fortunately the fire started at 11pm, which was caught before going to bed, and before it spread to the house. “None of our garage heat detectors or house fire alarms went off) ~~~ another item to take care of on any “to do” list. Better safe than really sorry. “A cheerful heart is good medicine”

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FREEDOM BEYOND THE FENCE By “Kitty”

As I lay here in my bed, There is nothing to be said. Even though others are near, I’m very much alone in this place of fear. The rain is pouring down And the winds are swirling round and round. There are no stars in the sky tonight. But what I see outside is a beautiful sight. The sounds of the rain Against my window pane Help bring to mind all the good things in life I have yet to gain. I remember times gone by When the good life seemed to be on my side. I could sit with loved ones and relax. Enjoy my animals or just kick back. What’s better now is that God is closer than ever. His Holy Spirit will leave me Never. My freedom was taken away, which is why I’m here, But God gives me comfort because He’s always near. A fence of wire surrounds this place. I try hard to cope, but it’s really hard to face. Being innocent really doesn’t matter. The legal system is as crazy as the Mad Hatter. But without God’s mercy and grace, I couldn’t survive living in this small space. I pray to God for the day That He will take me away And restore my freedom on this earth Or on to Heaven as my rebirth. My salvation and recompense is Freedom Beyond the Fence. (Ed. Note: This poem was written by someone whom many believe was incarcerated unfairly.)

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THE T HE LOWLIFE LOWLIFE By Neil McKinnon

(

d. Note: The following is an excerpt from Neil McKinnon’s forthcoming book, The World’s Greatest Lover.) Of the three types of men, I have left the lowlife until last because that is where he must be placed on any measure of human personality, capability or intelligence. Because of his limitations it is impossible for him to raise his status in society. Therefore, he has no choice. Wallowing in despicability, his only goal in life is to attach himself to a woman and by the sheer weight of his own wretchedness drag her to a level such that there will be at least one person in the world with less social rank than he. The lowlife has many aliases. He may be a son-of-a-bitch, a bastard, a heel, a rat-bag, a sleaze-bucket or a no-goodnik. It is impossible for him to have an inferiority complex as he really is inferior. The lowlife can be identified in two ways: First, by his location. He is always either in or near a bar. Second, unlike the deadbeat or the philanderer, he does not charm or flatter. In one sense he is more honest than they, in that he does not pretend to be someone other than who he is, a no-class worm. He also does not pretend that he will change. Actually, he expects the woman to change. One example should suffice— the sad tale of Maria M and a lowlife named Geraldo. Maria was a naive girl, the illegitimate daughter of an itinerant hair dresser—a woman with no permanent clientele—and a one-time Baptist preacher turned shoemaker, a man who had gone from saving souls to replacing them. She had never learned that there’s a difference between hugging and being held so you can’t get away. One fateful day, she stopped for a drink on her way home from her job as head message taker at a beef jerky factory. Geraldo, who sported greasy hair and crooked teeth, was, as usual,

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patrolling the bar in search of prey. He approached Maria and said, “Haven’t I seen you someplace before ... and would you like to come back to my place?” It was at this point that Maria made her mistake. Had she recognised Geraldo for the lowlife that he was and had she countered with an appropriate response, much of what followed might have been avoided. An appropriate response in the foregoing situation would have been, “Yes we have met. I’m the receptionist at the VD clinic.” Or, “Back to your place, you say. Can two people fit under a rock?” Instead, Maria responded. “Maybe we’ve met ... do you eat beef jerky?” Her reply was too mild and Geraldo interpreted it as an invitation. She didn’t stand a chance. He was all over her like goose crap on a beach. Within a week he had diluted her self-esteem to the point where she believed that she owed him everything. After all, it was her fault that he had crooked teeth— if he hadn’t bought her drinks on the night they met, he would have been able to afford a trip to the orthodontist. Scum like Geraldo can always be identified by his opening lines when he encounters a potential victim. In order to provide armour for unsuspecting females, I reproduce here, a few of the more common introductions employed by this brand of sub-human, and the proper response to ensure that play in this game is suspended in the first inning: Lowlife: “I want to give myself to you.” Woman’s Proper Response: “Sorry, I don’t accept cheap gifts.” Lowlife: “I’ve wanted to go out with you ever since I read all that stuff on the bathroom wall.” W.P.R.: “Love to, but tonight I’m

attending the opening of my garage door.” Lowlife: “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.” W.P.R.: “If I could rearrange it, I’d put F and U together.” Lowlife: “So, what do you do for a living?” W.P.R.: “I’m a female impersonator.” *** Adriana interrupted, “There are many kinds of men you haven’t mentioned,” she said. “What about

stumblebums, dumbos, horses arses, con men, bozos, knuckleheads, letches, blowhards, gasbags and good-time Charleys?” “Your list is long, my loquacious lumpkin, but the terms on it are all synonyms for, or sub-categories of, the types I have already dealt with.” ‘I see,” she said. “Are you going to enlighten us about the different types of women in the world?” My glass was empty and I was weary. “Another time. Categorising women isn’t easy. Even someone as experienced as I will occasionally make a mistake.”

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The Midwife Of Venice By Roberta Rich Reviewed by Gale Myers

asten your seatbelts. We’re going to take a bumpy ride around a Mediterranean filled with pirates, plague and plots. Historical fiction is (according to numerous publishing sites) beginning to eat the lunch of perennial-favorite mysteries and thrillers in today’s market, and with the recent publication of The Midwife of Venice the reason becomes apparent. Part-time Mexico resident Roberta Rich constructs an historical potboiler/ thriller with all the bells and whistles, then layers on impeccable and irresistible details of 16th century Venice, draws a resolute heroine, and throws all this into a sensory brew that makes the Renaissance vibrate with an im-

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mediacy a modern reader can identify with. Socially diffident but professionally confident, Hannah Levi is an accomplished midwife in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice in 1596. She is uncommonly successful with difficult births, using her own invention of “birthing spoons,” a precursor of forceps. Her reputation spreads outside the ghetto, and one dark night, in one of the great opening literary scenes of recent years, her rabbi visits her with two Christian noblemen who wish to use her services to save the life of a Christian countess. Because the Catholic Church forbids Jews to attend Christians medically, her rabbi pleads with her to reject the entreaties of the aristocrats. By ignoring him, she puts the people of the ghetto in peril, but for her own urgent and personal needs, agrees to deliver the baby for a very large sum of money… money she needs to pay the ransom of her husband Isaac, captured by pirates and enslaved on the island of Malta. She delivers a baby boy, receives the money, then finds herself in the midst of a family plot of greed and succession. Against a backdrop of Black Plague, betrayal, and multiple murders, she has to kidnap the child to keep him from being murdered. She flees Venice and now we have a story of a Jewish woman on the lam with a kidnapped Christian infant, both struggling to survive the trying passage to Malta on a boat that wallows and pitches across the sea. Hannah is an original survivor. She knows how to form alliances, uses her skills as a midwife, and stays levelheaded. Isaac is surviving on Malta, but barely. He too forms alliances that save him, uses his cleverness and wit to face

down those who would send him to certain death as a galley slave—and stays alive because he can write letters his illiterate Maltese slave master sends to a mysterious artist. The story, told from alternating viewpoints of Hannah and Isaac, reveals the deep and abiding love between the two, a love that enables them in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds to plan a future. The Midwife of Venice fulfills on many levels. Period details are exquisite and characters resonate with poignant humanity. The plot plunges forward at a breakneck speed and even

a coincidence or two do not slow the pace. And there’s more good news: a sequel is coming. Hannah and Isaac will encounter a new set of adventures in Constantinople in a book tentatively set for release in spring 2013. One copy of Midwife is in the LCS library, and it’s available for download on any e-reader. Hard copies are in bookstores in the U.S. and Canada. (Ed. Note: Our congrats to Roberta Rich, a sometime contributor to our pages, whose historical novel has now become a best-seller in both the US and Canada—with Europe soon to follow.)

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FRONT ROW CENTER By Michael Warren A Taste of Broadway Served and Directed by Barbara Clippinger, Choreographed by Alexis Hoff Music Coordinated by Patteye Simpson

his was an entertaining and nostalgic evening, filled with sophistication and Broadway glitter. Smoothly put together by Barbara Clippinger and her associates Alexis Hoff and Patteye Simpson, the show moved effortlessly from number to number and the audience was generous with its applause. With such a large ensemble of singers and dancers, it is difficult to pick out individual performances – all contributed to what was undoubtedly a team effort. However, there were for me some special shining moments. Seeing Mac Morison back on stage and hearing his rich baritone voice fill the hall was one such moment. And Helena Feldstein gave us an eye-opener with her rendering of “Tits and Ass.” (Please don’t send an outraged letter to the Editor – that’s the title of the song.) Then there was the inimitable Jeritza McCarter and the apparently ageless Betty Lloyd Robinson – they simply stole the show with “I’m Still Here.” They are indeed! I should also mention the excellent dance team of Val Jones and Janet Lawson, who together with the very professional Alexis Hoff gave the show a true Broadway feeling. Val and Janet are both newcomers to the LLT stage, and it is refreshing to have such new talent in this town. Other newcomers were Leslie Martin, Don DeCarl, Lee Hitchcock, Catherine Gonzales and Judy Hendrick – welcome to all! It’s a great credit to Barbara Clippinger to succeed in bringing so many varied new talents to the LLT stage. And there were plenty of classic musical numbers from shows such as Gypsy, Sweet Charity, and Carousel sung with feeling by Patteye Simpson and Ann Loebach. Other numbers and some back-up were provided by Greg Clarke, Joe Loebach and Jim Donnelly. Sometimes it was a guessing game – which song came from which musical? I would have liked to have a program note giving us a bit more informa-

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tion on that score. A special appreciation to Rob Stupple who came in at short notice as Narrator, and provided a smooth and sophisticated link between the various numbers. The costumes were perfect for the show – glamorous without being tacky, except of course for the intentional tackiness of the light bulbs on Helena Feldstein’s costume in a hilarious number “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.” Many thanks to Wardrobe Coordinator Karin Eichler, and also the costume design team Karin, Barbara and Alexis. Then there was the glittery curtain, apparently brought by Tod Jonson all the way from New York especially for this show. It was a brilliant touch of Broadway magic! All in all, it was a fun evening, enjoyed equally by cast and audience. After the curtain call, it was a neat idea to have the cast line up and shake our hands (or kiss our cheeks) in the lobby – a warm and friendly end to the show. Congratulations to Barbara Clippinger and all her team – a lot of hard work went into making this Taste of Broadway a success. Next up is the final show of the season – Sex Please We’re Sixty – which opens on April 7th. This has been a season of light entertainment, and the shows have all been enjoyable – sometimes extremely clever in the case of How the Other Half Loves – but an occasional serious play would be welcome. Maybe this time, maybe next year … Michael Mi h lW Warren

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The Poets’ Niche

By Mark Sconce msconce@gmail.com

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

In 1855, when Ralph Waldo Emerson called Leaves of Grass “the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom America has yet contributed,” folks paid attention. And they kept on paying attention for the next thirty-odd years as each edition heralded new Whitman poems. The last edition boasted 293, the first but 12. I have yet to meet the man intrepid enough, determined enough, and with stamina enough to rake through Leaves of Grass today. (Of course women do it all the time.) Song of Myself, containing some of Whitman’s best writing, is one of those prodigious poems. Others described it as “trashy, profane & obscene” and the author “a pretentious ass.” “Incoherent,” they said. “Contradictory,” they said. Whitman said, “Very well then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes. Missing me one place, search another; I stop somewhere waiting for you.” Then, in his signature free verse style: I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. Here’s vintage Whitman: The lunatic is carried at last to the asylum a confirmed case, He will never sleep any more as he did it in the cot in his mother’s bedroom; The dour printer with gray head and gaunt jaws works at his case, He turns his quid of tobacco, his eyes get blurred with the manuscript; The malformed limbs are tied to the anatomist’s table, What is removed drops horribly in a pail; The quadroon girl is sold at the stand—the drunkard nods by the barroom stove. Oh, Captain, My Captain may be his poem we know best grieving the recently slain Abraham Lincoln. I Hear America Singing also moves us. I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong. The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work or of the girl sewing or washing. Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Sing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. Walt is a friend, and, like so many of my gay friends, he exhibited the kind of compassion and empathy that led him to nurse wounded soldiers in the middle of the Civil War. “I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.” I understand the large hearts of heroes, The courage of present times and all times, How the skipper saw the crowded and rudderless wreck of the steam-ship, and Death chasing it up and down the storm, How he knuckled tight and gave not back an inch, and was faithful of nights, And chalked in large letters on a board, Be of good cheer, we will not desert you; How he follow’d with them and tack’d with them three days and would not give it up, How he saved the drifting company at last, How the lank loose-gown’d women looked when boated from the side of their prepared graves, How the silent old-faced infants and the lifted sick, and the sharp-lipp’d unshaved men; All this I swallow, it tastes good, I like it well, it becomes mine, I am the man, I suffered, I was there. Mark Sconce

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EUROPEAN PRESS ON REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES!

ERMANY—The Republican presidential contest in America is a “freak show,” said Marc Pitzke in the German Der Spiegel. “The candidates vie with one another to spew the most outrageous hard-right positions, denying evolution while endorsing torture and joking about electrocuting illegal immigrants. How did a major party in the world’s sole superpower become a “club of liars, debtors, betrayers, adulterers, exaggerators, hypocrites, and ignoramuses?” “These know-nothings are enabled by a U.S. press that has been ‘neutered’ by the demands of political correctness” so that it can’t say what’s obvious: These people are daft! Instead, it ‘proclaims one clown after the next to be the new front-runner.’ The one-time favorite, Newt Gingrich, is actually considered an intellectual merely because he can create sentences with multiple clauses. Scarcely a one has even the most basic grasp of foreign policy. One said Africa is a country, another that the Taliban rule in Libya. Collectively, they expose a political, economic, geographic, and historical ignorance that makes George W. Bush look like a scholar.” FRANCE—“That’s the scariest part,” said Lorraine Millot in the Paris Liberation. “The only GOP candidate who knew a thing about diplomacy, Jon Huntsman, was dead last in most polls. The others careen to extreme positions that include starting new wars and abandoning old allies. And that’s when they even have a position. Herman Cain, now thankfully out of the race, was the front-runner even though he couldn’t find a single coherent word to say about President Obama’s policy on Libya. He even boasted of knowing little about foreign countries. And yet it was his adultery, not his astounding ignorance, which brought him down. THE BRITISH PRESS—There is a simple explanation for this bizarre

phenomenon, said Max Hastings in the London Daily Mail. In the “lunatic, gun-toting badlands of America’s Hicksville, Tea Party country, it’s considered suspiciously elitist to show any interest in modern science or the world beyond America’s borders. Say what you like about British politics, no MP of any party would dare to offer themselves as town dogcatcher while knowing as little about the world as the Republican presidential candidates. We take public service seriously. Yet we in Britain, and everyone in the rest of the world, will suffer if one of the lunatics vying for the nomination makes it to the White House. The American political system has seldom, if ever, looked so inadequate.” “Don’t worry,” said Matthew Norman in the London Independent. ”The fact that Santorum is the latest threat to Mitt Romney’s inevitability just confirms how inevitable Romney’s nomination is. As for the thricemarried, ethically challenged Gingrich, he is unlikable in the extreme. Which means the nominee will be Romney, the slimiest, phoniest opportunist to run for president since... well, ever. So sit back and enjoy this circus passing for a presidential election. It can’t possibly end in a GOP victory. Can it?!”

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Letters to the Editor

ear Sir: People were horrified last month by yet another incident of shooting in a public school in the U.S., this time in Ohio, leaving three students dead and eight more injured. But as Christians know, everything that happens, no matter how irrational or harmful it may seem to be to humans, is a part of the Divine Plan of the Judeo-Christian god. Can it be that the shootings in schools and other public places are part of that god’s plan to encourage believers to have more guns? Perhaps presciently, the very devout leading Republican candidate for the presidency of the U.S., Mitt Romney, titled his speech at the same month’s meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC, billed by its chief sponsor, the American Conservatve Union, as the largest and most important gathering of conservatives in the country), We Should Cling to our Guns, Religion, and Constitution. Note that Guns and God came before Constitution. Consider how school shootings might be prevented if every teacher were required to be armed. (A friend who is more knowledgable about such matters than I am points out that the fabled six-shooters of America’s celebrated and much missed Wild West past would be inadequate for teachers, as other shooters might be armed with automatic weapons, but I would defer that determination to the godfearing experts at the National Rifle Association, a principal sponsor of CPAC.)

ear Sir: I liked Bill Frayer’s article in the February issue on statistical reasoning and decision making. That process should be given more attention in everyday life. I am always awed by the courage and work of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis who risked his job and reputation by exposing the dangerous behaviors of then practicing physicians in 1840s Vienna. Now recognized as the “savior of mothers,” he knew statistically that physician behavior caused the deaths of women in childbirth. At that same hospital, the mid-wives treating charity cases had many fewer complications and deaths. Physicians went directly to tend patients

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As an example, Texas is a very religious state, with an extremely devout governor, and every true Texan is expected to own at least one gun. A law requiring every Texas household to own at least one firearm has actually been proposed. And a permit to carry a concealed weapon can be the only evidence required to vote in Texas, even for a student for whom official identification provided by a university will not suffice. Texas being in the forefront of states that act to prevent crime by encouraging people to have guns does, however, have a downside. It was plainly the reason that permission for my most recent entry into Canada in my Texas-plated motorhome was so long delayed. The Customs officer insisted that most people traveling in a motorhome like mine have guns, and only a very thorough search finally convinced her that I did not and permit me to go on my way. Canada is, of course, much less religious than the U.S., so guns are strictly controlled there, though I don’t think that there has ever been a shooting in a Canadian school. Perhaps God is focusing his attention on the U.S., which would, indeed, be consistent with the belief of many U.S. Christians. Kenneth G. Crosby gypsyken@prodigy.net.mx]

immediately after working on cadavers without washing their hands; mid-wives did not work on cadavers. Semmelweis was ostracized and fired for his allegations. Much later, Pasteur discovered why these women died from infections. This was much the same problem faced by the United States Surgeon General when he issued his 1957 warning about smoking. He knew statistically that smoking caused premature deaths, but he couldn’t show exactly why. That came later. Statistical reasoning is difficult for many people to accept. It addresses probabilities, not absolutes. Bob Branson

Letters to the Editor

ear Sir: There is a renovation project taking place at the square in Ajijic. All the tiles are being replaced with new and mosaics are being added. The result should be extraordinary. While the cost of the material and labor for the basic tile work is being paid by the government, the artist is not. He and his helpers are dependent on donations for their time. But this is a little known fact. He has several months of work left to complete his project. Meanwhile he is a true “starving artist”. He is well known in the area.

ear Sir: I have to reply to Paul Jackson’s reply to Mel Goldberg’s Letter to the Editor. Mel had some points as he usually does but, like most Americans, not enough knowledge about Canadian history or functions, and Paul’s reply was outstanding! And true. Paul should write more about how the political and economic systems work in Canada so he can enlighten one little corner of the USA. I know he tries, but it is usually about current political issues in either the US or Canada. He could start with a description of the difference between Canadian and American conservatism. He’s done it before but it isn’t getting through to most of the Ojo readers or the American public. He could even include a touch on Canada’s medical system, which has a few flaws but works outstandingly well and covers everyone, not just those with the money to pay a small monthly fee but even those who can’t. Every Canadian resident

Federico Ramos. I am hoping you can feature him and help get the word out. Maybe sponsor a fund raiser. Thank you for your time. Jim Bush

is entitled to medical coverage. So are Americans. Too many Americans can’t get coverage without Obamacare and the conservatives want to disenfranchise Americans. Appalling. The US system seems to me to be both a debacle-in-process and a success story for democratic principles. The same can be said of how the Canadian system works, a mess at each instance, but a success overall. Canada, however, does not need the kind of overhaul the US political system needs, with its lobbies and financial backers and very lengthy and expensive selection process. I hope some reform will come out of all this 2012 “practice on the shooting range.” The system still works because there are more voters than even the number of puppeteers, but we need to cut at least some of the puppeteers’ strings on the system. Kay Davis Dual Citizen, born in the USA and proud Canadian too kdavis987@gmail.com

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Focus on Art By Rob Mohr robmohr@gmail.com Impact of the Arts at Lakeside

“

rt is life is art.” Gertrude Stein Human progress is impelled by those who work at the creative edge of life. History reveals that all human cultures and societies go through similar stages of artistic development which form the primary determinants in the civilizing process. The arts lead humanity forward and foment healthy change. Even technology, which enables our current lifestyle, has its roots in humanity’s creative actions. Advances in science or technology have frequently been anticipated by creative fiction writers. In his Sprawl and Bridge Trilogies (1988), William Gibson anticipated today’s information based culture and economy. Creative actions link humanity in unique ways, such as the acting out of human stories as theatre, or through paintings of the human body. The arts not only mirror the world, but also give it form, expression and an emotional presence that reveals shared feelings. They expose the core - the inner world that makes us introspective and reflective beings. At Lakeside, creativity and expanding awareness are key to the youthful outlook many share, a reality which helps shape the quality and health

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of our experience. Openness and inclusiveness also help us with the challenges of retirement. While encounters with a verity of individuals and groups helps us actualize each other’s creativity. As a creative community, we collectively overcome the homogeny and oppressive cultural climate dominated by conservative corporate interest that prevails in the United States. The local result is a dynamic and growing micro-culture that offers the stimulation needed for a full and productive life. Artists, and those who participate in the arts, are the primary change agents in our progressive and innovative community. Each of us plays a role. The creators point the way; the enthusiast share vision; those who interpret assimilate; and those who purchase, exhibit, or perform give sustenance. The social bonds and communities formed by participants in the various arts provide for the development of strong and lasting relationships, as well as a sense that we contribute to the collective good. Equally encouraging, engaging in the arts improves our physical and mental health, something most of us instinctively understand. Stress is relieved when we attend arts events, while active

participation in the arts improves one’s sense that life has meaning. Engagement facilitates physiological and psychic relief as it cures the personal and collective soul. Art education for adults and children also plays a significant role. In contrast with the United States, where conservatives have successfully removed the arts from the nation’s schools, local educational efforts led by LCS and private groups have significantly expanded the quantity and quality of arts education available. Graduates from the Neill James Arts Program form the core of a strong Mexican arts community that does much to encourage engagement in the visual arts. A vital writers group, that meets twice monthly, provides an essential forum for writers to present works for critical assessment. The community formed encourages deep and lasting friendships. The diversity of arts organizations, coupled with constant opportunities to participate in arts events, play a major role in attracting tourists and residents. The large number of galleries, cultural centers and museums

make Lake Chapala a choice destination, and the primary enabler of Lakeside’s thriving economy. Even with conservatives’ resistance to funding the arts in the US, arts and culture produce over $200 billion in economic activity each year. Lakeside’s arts percentage of gross income would be much higher. The arts are essential in discovering and manifesting our full potential as individuals and as a society. “It is in the shelter of each other that the people lived.” —Irish Proverb. Rob Mohr

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TAI CHI - Powerful Medicine...and So Much Fun! By Cindy Paul

ai Chi is the most-practiced group exercise in the entire world today. The benefits of practicing Tai Chi are practically endless. It helps your mental acuity, lowers your blood pressure and vastly increases your balance, just to name a few of its top advantages. Tai Chi can also reduce depression and aggression by improving your overall state of mind. It can help Parkinson’s disease, as well. Below is an explanation of how that works, taken from a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The ancient Chinese art characterized by slow controlled movements helped Parkinson’s patients with balance and control and resulted in fewer falls, when compared with other exercises. The findings were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Lead author Dr Fuzhong Li, from the Oregon Research Institute, found a tailored program of twice-weekly Tai Chi training resulted in improved postural stability and walking ability, and fewer falls. He said: “These results are clinically significant because they suggest that Tai Chi, a low-to-moderate impact exercise, may be used as an add-on to current physical therapies to address some of the key clinical problems in Parkinson’s disease, such as postural and gait instability.” Since many training features in the program are functionally oriented, the improvements in the balance and gait measures that we demonstrated highlight the potential of Tai Chi-based movements in rehabilitating patients with these types of problems and, consequently, easing cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and improving mobility, flexibility, balance, and range of motion.” The study involved randomly assigning 195 patients to either Tai Chi, resistance training or stretch-

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ing for one hour twice a week for 24 weeks. The Tai Chi group performed better in balance tests, had a longer stride length indicating better walking ability than the stretching group. And they were also better than the resistance training group on the balance and stride length measures. They were also significantly fewer falls in the Tai Chi group compared to the stretching group. The number of falls was similar in the resistance training group as the Tai Qi group. Parkinson’s patients lose stability and have difficulty with everyday living as the disease progresses and exercise is thought to be important to help maintain independent living for as long as possible. The Tai Chi program developed by Dr Li consists of six Tai Chi movements integrated into an eight-form routine that focused on weight-shifting, controlled-displacement of the centre of gravity over the base of support, ankle sway, and front-to-back and sideways stepping. Dr Li said: “There are a number of practical advantages to using Tai Chi to improve motor dysfunction of Parkinson’s disease – it is a low cost activity that does not require equipment, it can be done anywhere, at any time, and the movements can be easily learned. “It can also be incorporated into a rehabilitation setting as part of existing treatment. Similarly, because of its simplicity, certain aspects of this Tai Chi program can also be prescribed to patients as a self-care/home activity.” The longest-running Tai Chi program at Lakeside has been taught by Lonny Riddle for over twenty years. You can find details and directions here: http://w w w.do nokaimartialarts. com/tai-chi.htm Cindy Paul

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CHANGE C HANG GE U UNDERWAY ND DERW WAY Y IN CHAPALA! By Susan Elliott

rom the skateboard park on the malecon right up to the community centre (the old train station), graffiti has been vanishing from buildings, garage doors, walls, houses and even commercial establishments. Armed with only brushes and paint, our grass roots anti-graffiti group has made a noticeable difference in only a short period of time. What started as a tentative call for volunteers on the Chapala.com web board has turned into a committed group of volunteers who meet three mornings per week to restore a specific section of the town to its original condition. There is much to read on the subject of graffiti. Study after study has shown there is a direct correlation between the presence of graffiti and street crime. The tags are meant to identify territory as well as to recruit new members so it is not simply a case of defacing public or private property. Some of the tags even mark houses and businesses for future action. They should not be considered art. We can combat the ever growing graffiti problem with the only weapon we currently have to use against the taggers; immediate removal of their handiwork. This tactic does work. When we decided to clean up the skateboard park many people were afraid the taggers would be back in

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force that very night and wondered aloud if there was any point in cleaning it up. As it turns out, their fears were unfounded. In fact, it was several days before a tag reappeared but that was promptly removed. We have taken our cues from those who have been successful in Ajijic and San Antonio and who have generously shared their time as well as knowledge with us. We know the problem can be conquered but we can’t do it alone. Members of the public can help by cleaning their own homes of graffiti, donating hours, supplies, or money for much needed paint or other materials. Consider recycling any unused paint by donating it to our group. That solves the problem of what to do with the hazardous waste and gives back to the community at the same time. We will make arrangements for drop-off or pick-up of all donated materials. No time or money to donate? No problem. Spotters are an essential part of this process. Just send us a quick e-mail when a previously clean area sports a new tag. For further information on how you can help please e-mail nochapalagraffiti@gmail.com or call 331-7210823. If you have been thinking that someone should do something, now is the time. Susan Elliott No Chapala Graffiti

MEMORIES OF WATERS

As the waves of Lake Chapala Grace the sands of Ajijic I am reminded of distant shores of Lake Minnetonka Memories of sailing, summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm welcoming airs sending Our small boat out into the bays. Of Findhorn, Scotland where warm ocean currents Send their waters to the shore. From my hotel window in Cassis, France I see Cobalt blue waves of the Mediterranean Knock the boats to sides of wooden docks. For me, Lake Superior shows off her winter artistry Throwing up her icy waters forming spectacular sculptures. In caves on stony beaches in Dar es Salaam I watch a Large rusty freighter bring refugees from flooded lands of Mozambique. Indian Oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winds bring our wind powered dhow To a crystal white sand island. The old steamer Liemba plays her way down Lake Tanganyika Creating a wake lapping the edges of Zaire. All waters are beautiful in their own way. Rosemary Dineen

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STAY HEALTHY! By J. Manuel Cordova, M. D. Internal Medicine & Geriatric Specialist Mdjmcordova1204@yahoo.com Dietetic And Nutritional Overview Part II

he term “Nutritionist” or “Nutriologist“ is not specifically defined and, unfortunately, it is sometimes used by people who have no credible nutritional training and who seek to sell dietary supplements or weight-loss schemes without enough scientific support and many times with only anecdotal evidence. Some may even display a diploma or certificate that may mean very little or no validity from a university (or pseudo university). In Mexico, one becomes a certified nutritionist after winning a high school education and four years training in a university to obtain a nutritionist degree. You can verify whether a school listed on the diploma is a bona fide educational institution and if the school is accredited by an agency recognized by the Canadian or US. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, or here in Mexico by going to www.cedulaprofesional. sep.gob.mx Is there an Ideal Diet? Many people often search for the perfect diet—that will produce super health and above-normal vigor, strength, and resistance to disease, that will delay aging, and keep them slim. So pervasive is this interest that thousands of people spend vast quantities of time and money searching for the perfect answer, and solution. Does such a diet exist? In all likelihood, the answer is no. Our nutritional needs differ at each stage of our lives, from infancy through childhood, maturity, pregnancy, and aging, and in states of disease, and steps of each one. We also vary in our genetic tendencies, including hypertension, obesity, some cancers, and heart and other vascular disorders—so food components such as salts or fats pose different risks to different people. The human body needs various substances from the environment in order to grow, reproduce, and sur-

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vive. We breath the air to acquire the oxygen our cells need to survive, we drink water to replenish vital supplies of liquid, and we eat to provide us with all important energy sources, because energy is provided by the body`s use of ingested protein, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates between others, inclusive essential amino-acids. All the foods we eat provide some level of nutrition but you need to consider: There may be no one perfect diet for all of us or even for one of us at all times, but there are some general principles for food selection. The use and combination of them that apply to most of us (see Dietary Guidelines, Canadian Health- Food Association, US Food and Drugs Administration). Logical Diet: Except for people who are in need of a therapeutic diet to deal with a specific health condition, the best approach is to adhere to the principles of food selection advised by the agencies concerned with health and nutrition. Usually these recommendations incorporate the best judgment of nutritionists based on current knowledge. To Be Continued. Dr. Cordova

HOW CHASTITY BELTS ARE SAVING AMERICA Satire By J. C. Kottler

ick Santorum has become the Anticontraceptive candidate for President. The former Senator not only is against President Obama’s compromise on contraceptives for Catholic institutions. He also believes, quite rightly, that contraceptives are immoral, even for married couples. As he says, “One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be. [Sex] is supposed to be within marriage. It’s supposed to be for purposes that are yes, conjugal…but also procreative. That’s the perfect way that a sexual union should happen…This is special and it needs to be seen as special.” Instead of condemning him, we should celebrate his views. Not only is he the most moral man in America, but he has also found the key to America’s recovery from the recession. He has started a whole new industry in America—the Chastity Belt industry. Most of us would agree that married couples having sex without the purpose of procreation is one of the great Presidential issues of our time. But did you know that Santorum’s comments have already created thousands of new jobs. Yes! Chastity belt factories are starting up all over America. I found this out late at night while lying next to my wife. I was feeling evil urges, and started to play around. My hands started drifting in a southerly direction, but were suddenly blocked by a metal obstruction. “What’s this?” I asked. “Isn’t it wonderful?” she answered. It’s my new Chastity Belt.” “Chastity Belt? I thought they went out with the Middle Ages.” “No, they’ve come back. This is the Rick Santorum model.” One side of the belt had the Ten Commandments written on it. The

other side said, “Rick Santorum for President. Bring morality back to America.” In the middle of the belt, the true danger zone, it said, “Don’t even think about it.” I must admit that my darker urges were aroused, but my wife reassured me that she loved me just as much as before and that our marriage would be the better for it. “Think of the fun we can have with the different models. For instance, this is the Ronald Reagan model.” It said, “Trust, but verify.” My favorite was the Glen Beck Model. This one had a blackboard in the middle, with a chalk diagram linking Obama with Hitler and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The ones with music were also quite interesting. Touched it once, and it played Get Over It by the Eagles. I touched it toward the inside and a loud alarm went off, followed by a rendition of “I fought the Law and the Law Won.” Chastity belts are not only for adults. Inventive manufacturers are producing items even for pre-teen girls. They’re called Training Chastity Belts. Don’t worry. They haven’t forgotten about little girls either. Barbie dolls now come with miniature Chastity Belts. I do notice that the Ken dolls have changed. Instead of a smile, he now looks rather depressed. I even heard rumors of some Ken dolls holding signs which say “Unfair” and “On Strike.” After I divorced my wife (which had nothing to do with Chastity belts) I started dating again. I have developed a fool proof method of making sure I have no more Chastity Belt problems. I always do a first date at an airport restaurant. So far, none of my dates have figured out my secret purpose in taking them to the airport. I figure it’s worth the extra time to make sure she goes through the metal detector

Saw you in the Ojo 65

“H “How How S Sharper harper T Than han a S Serpent’s erpent’s s T Tooth ooth It Is s T To o H Have av e a T Thankless hankle ess C Child” hilld” King Lear (Shakespeare): Act 1, scene 4, lines 288-289 By Mel Goldberg

fter my mother died, my father lived with me. It was difficult because of his age. He needed special care. One afternoon when we walked into the doctor’s office, the stiffness of Parkinson’s Disease caused my father to take small mincing steps. Sitting in the two chairs across from the doctor, we waited as he opened a folder. My father voiced the question I wanted to ask but didn’t have the courage. “The lab tests are conclusive, then? No mistake?” “It’s unlikely,” the doctor said quietly. “You have the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.” “How long, then, before it takes me over. Before I no longer recognize people and things?” “There’s no way to know. It could be years.” We left the doctor’s office, walking silently that morning, staring at the ground. The verdict dogged our heels, pulled at our coat sleeves. “Well,” said my father after a few minutes, his usual good humor returning. “I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat before I forget how to use a knife and fork.” I tried to smile, but only succeeded in wrinkling my lips a little. Over the next few months, I realized that the doctor’s prediction was wrong. It came on inexorably, like

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

the tide at night, eating away at the shore. Each week another facility was lost. One morning before I went to run some errands, I made his breakfast and placed his medicine next to his plate, as I always did. When I left, he was sitting in his lift chair in his bedroom, watching television and flipping channels. His attention span had become short, so he didn’t stay with a program longer than a few minutes. I suspected he didn’t comprehend even the simplest shows. When I returned several hours later, his food and medicine were still on the table, untouched, exactly where I had left it. I went into his bedroom where he was still sitting in his chair. “You didn’t eat.” “I must have. I’m not hungry.” He forgot to bathe unless I reminded and helped him. When he did, he refused to use soap. I reminded him to brush his teeth, but he rarely used toothpaste unless I put it on his brush for him. One day as we were driving through the cliffs that surrounded our small town, he asked me a strange question. “How did these mountains get here?” “They’ve been here for millions of years.” I was about to explain tectonic plate pressure, uplift, and erosion, but I stopped. “I guess I really don’t know.”

He lost the ability to read, and even to speak coherent ideas, but he never did forget who I was or what a fork was for. His favorite meal was breakfast, and we went out often. We always went to the same restaurant, a place where they knew us well. I always ordered him the same thing - a Belgian waffle, covered with ice cream and chocolate sauce. He always poured maple syrup on the whole thing, and ate it all. I filled up just watching him eat. I loved to see the shimmer in his eyes and the smile on his face when the waitress brought his plate to the table. He was indeed like a child. I thought of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” but I knew that unlike that old man, there would be no recovery. My father and I had not always seen eye to eye but he had done much for me and I was determined not to be a thankless child. He had difficulty walking. One morning, his arm around my neck and my arm around his waist, I helped him from the car into the restaurant. The waitress, a woman in her fifties, younger than I was, hurried over to hold the door for us. “You’re good son,” she said to me as my father shuffled to a table and sat with my assistance. “You’re a very

good son.” Now, years after my father died, I take some comfort in those words, wanting to believe he would have said them himself had he been able. MEL’S BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AS EBOOKS SHORT STORIES: A Cold Killing http://uploadnsell.com/buy/fxRCpA POETRY A Few Berries Shaken From the Tree http://uploadnsell.com/buy/PfYbba If We Survive http://uploadnsell.com/buy/OFuPdD VISIT MEL’S WEBSITE: www.authormelgoldberg.com

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THEATER T H E AT E R T TALK ALK

(

ent in by Barbara Clippinger, who as her last LLT show so wondrously proved, knows more than a thing or two about the theater.) 1. Eternity The time that passes between a dropped cue and the next line. 2. Prop A hand-carried object small enough to be lost by an actor 30 seconds before it is needed on stage. 3. Director The individual who suffers from the delusion that he or she is responsible for every moment of brilliance cited by the critic in the local review. 4. Blocking The art of moving actors on the stage in such a manner as not to collide with the walls, the furniture, the orchestra pit or each other. Similar to playing chess, except that the pawns want to argue with you. 5. Blocking Rehearsal A rehearsal taking place early in the production schedule where actors frantically write down movements which will be nowhere in evidence by opening night. 6. Quality Theater Any show with which you were directly involved. 7. Turkey Every show with which you were not directly involved. 8. Set An obstacle course which, throughout the rehearsal period, defies the laws of physics by growing smaller week by week while continuing to occupy the same amount of space 9. Monologue That shining moment when all eyes are focused on a single actor who is desperately aware that if he forgets a line, no one can save him. 10. Bit Part An opportunity for the actor with the smallest role to count everybody else’s lines and mention repeatedly that he or she has the smallest part in the show.

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

11. Green Room Room shared by nervous actors waiting to go on stage and the precocious children whose actor parents couldn’t get a baby-sitter that night, a situation which can result in justifiable homicide. 12. Dark Spot An area of the stage which the lighting designer has inexplicably forgotten to light, and which has a magnetic attraction for the first-time actor. A dark spot is never evident before opening night. 13. Hands Appendages at the end of the arms used for manipulating one’s environment, except on a stage, where they grow six times their normal size and either dangle uselessly, fidget nervously, or try to hide in your pockets. 14. Stage Manager Individual responsible for overseeing the crew, supervising the set changes, baby-sitting the actors and putting the director in a hammerlock to keep him from killing the actor who just decided to turn his walk-on part into a major role by doing magic tricks while he serves the tea 15. Stage Crew Group of individuals who spend their evenings coping with 50-minute stretches of total boredom interspersed with 30-second bursts of mindless panic. 16. Message Play Any play which its director describes as “worthwhile,” “a challenge to actors and audience alike,” or “designed to make the audience think.” Critics will be impressed both by the daring material and the roomy accommodations, since they’re likely to have the house all to themselves. 17. Bedroom Farce Any play which requires various states of undress on stage and whose set sports a lot of doors. The lukewarm reviews, all of which feature the phrase “typical community theater fare” in the opening paragraph, are followed paradoxically by a frantic attempt to schedule more performances to accommodate the overflow crowds.

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The Ojo Crossword

ACROSS 1. Resource 6. Musical bass__ 10. Secondary 14. Sheer, triangular scarf 15. Nil 16. Air (prefix) 17. Above 18. Seaweed substance 19. Bucket 20. Move a boat 21. Boat movers 23. Type of paint 25. Goofs 26. Manta 27. Dusky 30. Leaf used for pies 34. Ancient dwellers of Italy 35. Deprive of mother’s milk 36. Build up 38. Great ape 39. Abridged (abbr.) 40. Theatrical production 42. 10 grams (abbr. for dekagram) 43. Beat 44. Natural occurrence 45. Part 48. Warns 49. Long-term memory 50. Onto 51. Californian desert 54. Afloat

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55. Undergarment 58. Self-esteem 59. Fork prong 61. Cafes 63. Alack’s partner 64. Water pitcher 65. Cain’s eldest son 66. Refuse to believe 67. Sculls 68. Molder DOWN 1. Far away 2. Grainery 3. Flat-bottomed boat 4. Extremely high frequency (abbr.) 5 Teaching 6 Tyrants 7 Not arms 8 Time period 9 Run before 10 Fruit 11 Stack of paper 12 Canal 13 Count votes 22 Music 24 Apprehend 25 Dash 27 Walked 28 Art pieces 29 Visualization 30 Refute 31 Injure 32 Gusher 33 Main impact 35 Notify of danger 37 Baseball team 40 Put more ammunition in 41 Tied 43 Greek version of Ceres 46 Dull 47 I want my __ 48 Baboon 50 Drug doers 51 Brew 52 Look 53 __ of Arc 54 Fresh 55 Alignment 56 Costa__ 57 Wan 60 The other half of Jima 62 Compass point

GUILLERMINA—My G UILLERMINA—My CComadre omadre By Iris Slocombe

hen Bert and I retired in the Lakeside area we had no intention of employing a maid. I felt I could cope well without help as I had always done. However, a friend pointed out that if we could afford it we were in effect robbing someone of the opportunity to earn money. I wanted an older woman who would have an idea of what needed to be done, without much supervision. I met Guillermina, who desperately needed work. Her husband, Leobardo, had injured his back and was unable to do more than the minimum on their plot of land where he grew corn for the family.

Guillermina cleaned the house and was happy to do any ironing. She wanted to wash by hand in the shallow stone “Mexican washing machine” servicio sink. She distrusted all machines, especially the vacuum cleaner! We had a dryer, but I preferred to hang the clothes on a washing line in the glorious sunshine. She willingly helped with anything, even weeding the garden, a job the gardener felt was beneath his dignity! Guillermina was totally illiterate. Her father did not believe in education for girls, saying he did not want any ‘uppity’ women in his home, though all his sons went to school.

This meant that though Guillermina could answer the phone, she could not take a message or write down a phone number. I decided to teach her myself. But she found it embarrassing, and her three children teased her. She was an intelligent woman, and had decided early on in her marriage that she wanted no more than three children. She had two girls and one son. All went to school, at least as far as the fifth grade. She found the expenses for their education very hard to meet. So Bert and I decided to help her. We went to a papeleria to buy their notebooks, and discovered the local stores charged far more than the big ‘box-stores’ in Guadalajara. We packed her whole family in the car and headed off to Guadalajara to buy their supplies. In return she often brought me fresh corn and other veggies from her garden, and mandarinas which I used to make marmalade for sale at our church bazaar. Guillermina was scrupulously honest. When we had to go out of town we were happy to ask her to stay overnight in our home, and to care for Bella, our much-loved Akita dog. When she was in financial diffi-

culties we loaned her money, and of course did not charge her interest: she was careful to repay every peso, often by refusing to be paid for her daily work until she had cleared the debt. When her elder daughter reached her 15th birthday, I was invited to be a ‘godmother’ and was glad to buy the girl’s dress for the big occasion. This made me Guillermina’s ‘comadre’ and gave me the opportunity to learn more about Mexican customs. I was surprised to find the dress was almost as elaborate as a wedding gown. There was a special Eucharist, and I was invited by the local priest to read one of the Bible selections in the village church. By this time we were close friends. We often visited her family in their adobe home and shared a real Mexican meal with the family. Guillermina was careful not to over-spice the food, knowing I had a problem with very ‘hot’ food. Her chicken and rice were delicious. Guillermina worked for us for years, and took care of the home while I was in hospital in Houston. Eventually she quit because her husband had a stroke and needed her to stay home. We still visit them occasionally.

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AA- Meets daily at 10:00 am. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm. Marcos Castellanos 51-A. 766-5961. Meets every Wednesday 8 am for breakfast at La Nueva Posada. www.aalakechapala.org AA Lakeside- M+TH 4-6 Gazebo at the Lake Chapala Society. www.aalakechapala.org AA Women- TH 10:30-12 Sala at the Lake Chapala Society. www.aalakechapala.org A COURSE IN MIRACLES- Meets on Saturday at 2:00 at # 17 B Nicholas Bravo. For information email: clarecgearhart@gmail.com AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 904 WING- September to April meet the 2nd Thursday 4pm-6pm at La Nueva Posada. John Prichard 766-1876 AJIJIC QUILT GUILD - Meets second Tuesday monthly at 10 am. Guests & New Members Welcome. ajijicguild@gmail.com AJIJIC SCRABBLE CLUB- Tuesdays and Thursdays noon-3 pm at LCS Ken Gosh Pavilion. Dan Stark 766-0411. AJIJIC WRITERS’ GROUP- Meets 1st and 3rd Fridays at 10 am. Nueva Posada. Coffee. Meeting followed by lunch at the Nueva Posada. AXIXIC MASONIC LODGE #31- Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at LCS 5:00pm. Contact the Secretary at (387) 7610017 for details. AL-ANON- Step study, M 4:30-5:30 Ken Gosh Pavilion at the Lake Chapala Society AL-ANON- Sat. 10 am, Club 12, Marcos Castellanos 51-A, Ajijic Contact (376) 766-5975. AMERICAN LEGION OF CHAPALA POST- #7 General Membership meets 11 am 2nd Thursday. Tel: 765-2259. AMERICAN LEGION, FRANK M. VALENTINE POST 9 - (Fito’s Restaurant in Riberas Del Pilar) 3rd Wednesday. Additional info Call Vince 765-7299. AMIGOS INTERNACIONALES- Every Wednesday 6 to 8 pm, Nueva Posada; informal friendly group meet to make new friends. AMIGOS DEL LAGO A.C.- Working to improve the ecology. See www.amigosdelago.org or contact us at info@amigosdelago.org. AMITIES FRANCOPHONES- Meets every 3rd Saturday at 1 pm contact: Roland and Camille at 766-0149. rvanhoudt@prodigy.net.mx. ANIMAL SHELTER- Provide shelter and new homes for dogs and cats. Tel: 765-5514. ANITA’S ANIMALS- Free loving dogs and cats. call (01 387) 761-0500. www.anitasanimals.com. ASA- Ajijic Society of the Arts. Meets every 1st Monday of the month at Nueva Posada, 10 am. ARDAT (Ajijic Rotary Dog Assisted Theraphy)- Theraphy dog visits & Children Reading to Dogs program. Julianna Rose 766-5025, rotariojrose@gmail.com BARBERSHOP MIXED CHORUS- Meets Mondays 10 a.m. Lake Chapala Baptist Church. Contact Audrey 387-761-0204 or Don 376-766-2521. BRIDGE AT OLD POSADA- Monday 1:15 check in. Mary Andrews 766-2489. BRITISH SOCIETY- Lunch meeting the 1st Saturday of each month, 1pm at Manix Rest. 765-4786, chapalainn@prodigy.net.mx. CARD & DOMINO CLUB- Wednesday, Friday & Sunday. Call for times. We will teach; make friends! Tel. 766-4253, Cell: (045) 33-1295-6485. CANADIAN CLUB OF LAKE CHAPALA- 2nd Wednesday of month, Sept. through April. Social hour: 3:00 pm, program 4:00 pm. CASA DE ANCIANOS- Provides support for elderly citizens, 765-2497. CASA DE LA AMISTAD PARA NIÑOS CON CANCER.- Provides funds, obtain cancer treatments. www.casadelaamistad.org.mx. 01-55-3000-6900, 766-2612 CENTRO DE DESARROLLO AJIJIC- Provides family planning and reproductive health education. 766-1679. CHILI COOK OFF- Providing a carnival for residents raising charitable funds, 763-5038. DAR- (Guadalajara)- Daughters of the American Revolution, meets monthly Sep. through June. Cell:333-897-0660 or Tel: (376) 766-2284. DAR- (At Lakeside)- THOMAS PAINE CHAPTER meets every 3 Wednesday at 12:30 noon, September thru June. Tel: 766-2981 or 762-0834. DEMOCRATS- Meets 2nd Thursday 4pm at La Nueva Posada EASTERN STAR ESTRELLA DEL LAGO CHAPTER #10- 1st Wed. at 1:00 pm at Hotel Monte Carlo. 766-3785, www.oesestrelladellago.org. ECO ORGANICO MARKET- Tuesdays,10 am-12-30pm, Centro Laguna Mall at carretera and libramiento. ECKANKAR- For information about HU Chants and Dream Workshops please call Penny White.766 1230 FRIENDS OF VILLA INFANTIL (FOVI)- Financial support for children: www.friendsofvillainfantil.org. Lisa Le: (387) 761-0002, lisale888@gmail.com GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS- Wednesday 11:30-1:30 Ken Gosh Pavilion at the Lake Chapala Society GARDEN CLUB- Meets the 3rd. Wednesday 11 am for lunch at La Nueva Posada. GARDEN GUILD- promoting the interest in the development of local gardens with an accent on the exotic species available in central Mexico. GERMAN MEETING- 2nd Thursday, 1:00 pm. La Nueva Posada. Call Thea 765-2442 or Werner 763-5446. GOLDEN STRINGS OF LAKE CHAPALA, A.C.- Rehearsals at auditorio de la Floresta. Tuesday & Friday, 3-6 pm. HASH HOUSE HARRIERS- Every Saturday at 8:30 am at La Nueva Posada. HUMANE EDUCATION ALLIANCE (HEA)- Fostering ethical treatment of animals. John Marshall, 766-1170, alianzaeducacionhumnitaria@hotmail.com JUNIOR LEAGUE DE GUADALAJARA A.C.- Av. San Francisco #3332. ligagdl2@prodigy.net.mx, Guadalajara, Jal. Tel. (33) 3121-0887. LAKE CHAPALA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB- Meets every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 1:15 p.m.. www.chapalabridge.com. LAKE CHAPALA GARDEN CLUB- Garden tours and meeting 3rd Wed at Nueva Posada for lunch and program. sandy_feldmann@yahoo.com. LAKE CHAPALA GREEN GROUP- Sustainable living for a better tomorrow. Meets first Tuesday, Sept. through May. LCS, 3:00. www.lakechapalagreengroup.com. LAKE CHAPALA SHRINE CLUB.- Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1 pm in the Nueva Posada. Denny Strole (376) 766-0485 LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY - LCS- 16 de Sep. # 16-A Ajijic, Open Monday - Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. www.lakechapalasociety.org. 766-1140. LAKESIDE COMMUNITY AWARDS- We benefit all the community by honoring lakeside’s most talented. 766-3232. LAKESIDE FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS- Board meets 1st Thursday every month 2:45-4 LCS Gazebo info@lakesideanimalfriends.org LAKESIDE LAUGHTER CLUB- Meets every Wed. from 9 am - 9:40 beginning September 29. For information call Charlene 766-0884. LAKESIDE LITTLE THEATRE A.C.- Balanced theatrical entertainment, English-speaking, 765-5942. LAKESIDE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF- The 4th of each month. Nueva Posada 10:30 am. Call 766-2280, www.lakesideschoolforthedeaf.org. LAKESIDE USA TEA PARTY- Meeting 2nd Tuesday at 4pm, Sunrise Restaurant, Carretera, San Antonio Tlayacapan LAKESIDE WILDLIFE RESCUE & REHABILITATION- Rescue & rehabilitation of wild animals. 765-4916. LAKE SPAY AND NEUTER CENTR A.C.- Provides shelter and helps curtail the over-population of animals. 766-3813. LCS EDUCATION CENTER- Provides classes in language and other topics for both Anglo and Mexican community. 766-0499. LCS STUDENT AID FUND- Provides financial support to area students to enroll in university, vocational and high school program. 766-0716. LITTLE BLUE SCHOOLHOUSE- Provides financial assistance for students at school for disabled children in Chapala 766-1552. LOS NINOS DE CHAPALA Y AJIJIC, AC Providing educational scholarships to Lakeside children 376-765-7032, www.lakesideninos.org. LOVE IN ACTION- Shelter for abused and abandoned children. For volunteers and donations. Anabel Frutos 765-7409, cell: 331-351 7826. MAS- Music Appreciation Society. Concerts from fall to spring. Classical music and dance concerts. For info call Kathleen Phelps, 766-0010. MISION SAN PABLO- Helping 60 orphaned children ages 2-14 yrs, Bonnie Shrall - Bonnie@shrall.com #766-0009. www.misionsanpablo.org. NAVY LEAGUE, LAKE CHAPALA COUNCIL- Meets the third Saturday for lunch at 1 pm, Manix Rest. 766 4750 or 766-1848. NEEDLE PUSHERS- Sew dresses, knit or chet sweaters for local kids. Every Tues. 10 am at LCS. Gay Westmoreland - 765-5607. NIÑOS INCAPACITADOS DEL LAGO, AC.- Assisting Lakeside disabled children www.programaninos.org , 766-2201. NIÑOS Y JOVENES CARAVAN- Delivers foodstuffs and used clothing to orphanage in San Juan. Call Reuben Varela, 01-387-761-0828. OPEN CIRCLE- Fostering body, mind & spirit, every Sunday at the LCS from 10 am to 12 noon. 765-3402 or frankdburton@yahoo.com. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS- Every Tuesday & Friday 12 pm at Marcos Castellanos 51-A, in Upper Ajijic. Tel: 376-766-5975 or 766-1626. PASOS MILAGROSOS (MIRACULOUS STEPS.)- Helping Handicapped Children Through the Magic of Horses. Saturdays 8-2. www.pasosmilagrosos.com. RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS- Meets 1st Wednesday at 1:30-4 Gazebo at the Lake Chapala Society. New members welcome. ROTARY CLUB OF AJIJIC- Tuesdays. Fellowship at 12:30 p.m., meeting at 1:00 p.m., Hacienda Ajijic Steakhouse, Carr. Ajijic Pte #268-7. www.rotaryajijic.org. ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION- Meets the 3rd Tuesday each month @ 2:30 pm, Bar Tomas, Chapala. Contact rclchapala@gmail.com or 376-765-2602. SAILING LAKE CHAPALA- Meets for lunch/drinks-1 pm the 1st Thursday Club Nautico in La Floresta, www.sailinglakechapala.com SAN ANTONIO TLAYACAPAN (SAT) EXPATS.- Meets last Saturday of the month 6pm, at Cenaduria de Elvira, #127 Ramon Corona, San Antonio SCIENCE OF MIND STUDY GROUP- Discussion Tuesday at 10:30 AM, Nicolas Bravo #17 Ajijic; contact Rev. Tim at 766-0920 or tim@revdoctim.com. SCOTIABANK NORTHERN LIGHTS ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL- For details please visit: www.scotiabanknorthernlightsmusicfestival.com THE GENEALOGY FORUM- Meets monthly on the fourth Monday in the Sala at LCS, from 2:00 to 3:45. TOASTMASTERS LAGO DE CHAPALA BILINGUAL GROUP- Meets Tuesdays 6 to 7:30 pm at Ruben’s Grill. For info; Tim at 766-0920 or Maureen 766-2338. email tim@revdoctim.com UVA - University/Vocational Assistance (Little Chapel by the Lake a.c.)- Sue Torres, 766-2932 or Lynn Hanson 766-2660. VIVA LA MUSICA - Bus trips to the symphony, summer concert series, call Rosemay Keeling 766-1801. www.ajijicviva.org. VOLLEYBALL IN CHAPALA- At Cristiania park Tues., Thurs., Sat. mornings at 10, 333-502-1264. VOLUNTEER HEALTH RESOURCE GROUP- Meeting last Saturday of each month at LCS in sala, 10:30. VOLUNTEERS OF THE CRUZ ROJA- Sponsors fund raising events and provides administrative and support services to the Delegation. (NOTE: If there is any change in the above, please advise us so that corrections may be made. Call: 765-2877)

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

All Saints Lutheran Church Worship Service 11:00 am 4600 Avenida Tepeyac, Guad. Tel. (01 333) 121-6741. Abundant Life Assembly of God Carr. 140 next to Mail Boxes etc, Tel: 766-5615. Center For Spiritual Living Celebration Service, 5pm Fridays, Nicolas Bravo #17 Ajijic. (376) 766-0920 or tim@revdoctim.com. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Services in English and Spanish, 10 am, Riberas del Pilar Bishop Wyvell Tel. (376) 765-7067, Bishop’s residence (376) 766-1532. Church of the Holy Spirit Services Sun. 10 am, Albaro Obregon #119, Chapala Tel. (376) 7654210. Christ Church Anglican Fellowship Eucarist 10am upstairs in Manix Restaurant Ocampo #57 Ajijic. Rev. Danny Borkowski at (376) 766-2495 or Jim Powers t (387) 761-0017 Grace Baptist Church 5th Sun. Evening service 6 pm, Pedro Buzeta No. 970, Guad. Tel. (013) 641-1685. Lake Chapala Baptist Church Mid-week service, 9:30 am, worship service, 10:45 am. Santa Margarita #147, Riberas del Pilar, Tel. (376) 765-2925, 765-3329. www.lakechapalabaptist.com. 7th Day Adventist meet at Camino Real #84 in La Floresta, 9:30 am, Potluck follows, Tel: 7665708 Little Chapel by the Lake Sun. services 11 am, Chula Vista,. Jal, Tel. (376) 763-1551. Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation Santa Margarita 113, Riberas del Pilar, Tel: 765-6968. For information and service times, please call Pres. Elliot Gould. contact us@ lakechapalajews.com. Web site: www. lakechapalajews.com. Lakeside Fellowship Sun. worship 11 am, Javier Mina #49 Ajijic, Tel. (376) 766-0795. Lakeside Presbyterian Church Worship-Sunday 10 am; Bible Study-Friday 10 am; Hidalgo 231A, Carr. Chapala/Joco; Riberas del Pilar Tel. Pastor Ross Arnold at 376-766-1238, or Norm Pifer at 376-766-0616 Website at www.chapalalakesidepresbyterian. org Saint Andrew´s Anglican Church Calle San. Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar, Sunday 2 services, 9 a.m & 11 a.m. Rev. Winston W. Welty Tel: 765-3926. www.standrewsriberas. com San Andres Catholic Church Services 9:00 am. Ajijic, 766-0922. St. John’s Catholic Church Between Av. Vallarta & Av. Lazaro Cardenas, Guad. Sun. 11am. (013) 121-8131. The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Sta. Margarita #113 in Riberas del Pilar (on the SW corner of Santa Clara) For additional information call 766-1119 or email to lcuufinfo@gmail.com. We are a Welcoming Congregation www.lcuuf.org

The

LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY

News

April 2012

Celebrating the LCS Children’s Art Mural If you haven’t seen it, the mural is located on the Children’s Art Patio at the Lake Chapala Society

Dignitaries, special guests, artists, LCS members, and local families joined the celebration unveiling the beautiful new LCS mural honoring the Children’s Art Program. On March 3rd, accompanied by mariachi band Los Hinojosa, LCS President Howard Feldstein, joined by artists Javier Zaragoza, Jesus Lopez Vega, and Ajijic Society of the Arts president, Deena Hafker, unveiled and officially dedicated the mural depicting the history of the program started in 1954 by Neill James. The mural, designed and painted collaboratively by local artists Zaragoza and Lopez Vega, honors the three women who nurtured and coordinated the program for nearly 60 years: Neill James, founder of the program Angelita Aldana Padilla, who taught reading and art at the Biblioteca Publica started by Neill James Mildred Boyd, who led the program for 20 years until her death in 2010 Special guests included Jalisco Department of Education regional delegate Antonio Castelanos Acevedo, Canadian Vice Consul Patrick Courcelles, U.S. Consulate officers Teri Keas and Erin Williams, Chapala Education and Culture Director Armando Raygoza Garcia, and Ajijic administrator Javier Rojas Vargas. In addition to ASA President Deena Hafker, honored guests included many of the local artists who attended the program as children: Jose Abarca, Bruno Mariscal, Victor Romero, Lucia Padilla, Luis Enrique Martinez, Juan Olivarez, Antonio Lopez Vega and mural artists Javier Zaragoza and Jesus Lopez Vega. A special Permanent Collection of Ajijc Children’s Art from the 1950s to the present and works from the private collections of Neill James and Mildred Boyd also exhibited. Following the dedication, guests enjoyed refreshments and botanas accompanied by music by Los Medeles. Many thanks to the Children’s Art Program and LCS volunteers who made this celebration possible. Special thank you to ASA for their ongoing support of both the mural and the program. Special note: The Children’s Art Program is looking for a curator and a permanent home for this impressive collection of Ajijic’s cultural heritage. Join us for the free children’s art classes any Saturday from 10 am to noon at LCS. For more information on the program, or if you are interested in volunteering, e-mail childrensart@lakechapalasociety.org.

www.lakechapalasociety.org

Saw you in the Ojo 73

Following-up, the Manzanilla de la Paz “FAM Tour” In February, a number of Lakeside residents rose early and boarded a tour bus at La Floresta. The hosts, the municipality of Manzanilla de la Paz, thoughtfully served coffee and cookies before the 8 AM departure time, a hospitable gesture that was the first of many the Lakeside residents experienced that day. We circled Lake Chapala, swinging around the west end, passed through San Luis Soyatlan and, at Tuxcueca, and started climbing the hills south of the lake. (For those who don’t have cars, it’s possible to take a Chapala bus to Jocotepec, then get one of the blue Mazamitla buses and get off at Manzanilla de la Paz. From the tiny bus station on the main road, it is a fairly short walk through the town to one of the two hotels we visited.) At 2,013 meters, or 6,604 feet, above sea level, the town, surprisingly reminiscent of an Alpine village, is built not only with the traditional brick we associate with Lakeside, but also with wood. We wound through the village of only 3,000 - 4,000 inhabitants with many broad streets and sidewalks in good repair. Soon we were climbing through the forest. From the mirador at our first destination, we could see four states: Jalisco, including Lake Chapala; Colima, including the volcano; Zacatecas; and Michoacan. There, our hosts poured rompope (an eggnog - like drink) to reward us for the short hike to the top, and perhaps, to encourage us to use the swing attached to a large tree there! A spectacular view while swinging through the air. At Presa El Chiflon, we visited a small lake with covered picnic tables and grills, then toured the Vieja Casona (the “old hotel”) a thoroughly modern place on the plaza and were given a hearty breakfast of coffee, juice, eggs, beans, chilaquiles, and breads. Then we enjoyed an hour’s walk around town, shopping and people watching. Later we gathered again in the plaza to visit the Hotel Puerta Real Sierra del Tigre. From there, we walked along the “Linear Park” which features bright blue benches and covered places to cook and eat. Our hosts prepared a huge pot of steaming pozole and while we ate, a ten man mariachi group serenaded us! Full of good food and invigorating fresh air, and warm from our gracious welcome, we reluctantly boarded our bus again in the late afternoon and returned to Lakeside. We highly recommend you to tour this delightful little town, a little more than one hour from Ajijic. The courtesy shown by our hosts is an example of Mexican hospitality at its finest. Start making your plans at www.sierradeltigrejalisco.com.mx. Kudos to LCS for promoting these free FAM tours, allowing our members to get a peek at life outside the “NOB colony” of Ajijic.

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

LEARNING SEMINARS Noon in the Sala (via TED podcasts) The last two LCS Learning Seminars for the 2011-12 season are: April 3 - chaired by Fred Harland, featuring “Lead Like the Great Conductors” by Israeli orchestra conductor Itay Talgam. Talgam sees music as a model for all spheres of human creativity. In this charming talk, he demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders. April 10 - chaired by Ron Mullenaux, featuring New York Times columnist David Pogue who says “Simplicity Sells,” Pogue takes aim at technology’s worst interface design offenders, and provides encouraging examples of products that get it right. To funny things up, he bursts into song. The 2012-13 seminars will begin in November 2012. SPANISH CLASSES Lake Chapala Society (LCS), Ajijic, announces the start of their next term of Spanish language classes. Classes began on March 5, and will cover seven weeks of study. Due to Easter holidays, there will be eight calendar weeks and end on April 27. LCS uses the Warren Hardy Spanish language course designed for adult students. The classes are held at the Wilkes Center. Register at the LCS office weekdays on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Class schedules, LCS membership, tuition for the term, policies, materials needed, and additional information can be found on the LCS website at www. lakechapalasociety.org.

TALKING BOOKS NEEDS YOUR HELP! The Talking Books program has a backlog of cassettes that need to be returned to the Library of Congress. If you are driving north, you can be a hero. Returning the cassettes just requires dropping them off at the nearest post office in the US. All postage is pre-paid, so there is no cost to you. Contact Alicia at 766-4882 for details.

COURIERS NEEDED!!! If you are going north and returning anytime this year, we could sure use your help getting some new movies and books couriered south. Likewise, if you have someone coming to visit. Legally, each traveler can bring 10 new DVDs into the country. As for books, it’s weight is the determining factor. There is no cost to the courier. We order materials on line, prepay them and have them shipped to an address supplied by the courier. If you can help, please contact: Tom Keane <keanhombre@prodigy. net.mx> for DVDs and Brenda Dawson <brendadawson81@ yahoo.com> for books. Thanks!!!!!!

APRIL ACTIVITIES *OPEN TO PUBLIC

** US CITIZENS

CRUZ ROJA * Cruz Roja Sales Table M–F 10-1 Cruz Roja Monthly Meeting 1st W 1:30-4 HEALTH INSURANCE * IMSS M+T 10-1 NYLife/Seguros Monterrey Insurance T+TH 11-2 TioCorp Insurance M 10:30-1 HEALTH & LEGAL SERVICES * Becerra Immigration F 10-12 Blood Pressure M+F 10-12 Blood Sugar Screenings 2nd+3rd F 10-12 Diabetes Management 1st+3rd W 1-2:50 $ Sign-up Hearing Services M & 2nd+ 4th SAT 11-3 Sign-up Information Desk M-SAT 10-2 Loridans Legal T 10-12 Optometrist TH 9-4 Sign-up Skin Cancer Screening 2nd+4th W 10-12 $ Sign-up US Consulate 1st W 10:30-12:30 Sign up 10AM Vida Alarms T 10-2 LESSONS Children’s Art SAT 10-12 * Country Line Dancing T+TH 10-11:15 Exercise M+W+F 9-10 Have Hammers T 10-12+ TH 3-5 * Intermediate Hatha Yoga T+TH+SAT 2- 3:45 Spanish Conversations M 10-12 Grammar Required LIBRARIES Audio TH 10-12 Book & Video M-SAT 10-2 Talking Books US Library of Congress TH 10-12 ** SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Beginner’s Digital Camera W 12-1 Computer Windows Club F 10:30-11:45 Digital Camera W 10:30-11:50 Discussion Group W12-1:30 Dreams Class TH 1-2:30 Everyday Mindfulness M 10:30-12 Film Aficianados 1st & 3rd TH 12-2 Film Aficianados 2nd+4th +Last TH 2-4 Genealogy Last M 2-4 iPad/iPod/iPhone F 9:30-10:30 LCS Learning Seminars T 12-2 Mac OS 1st M 12-1:30 Mac User 3rd W 3-4:30 Mah-Jonng F 10-2:30 Needle Pushers T 10-11:45 Scrabble M+F 12-2 Singing for the Brain M 2-3 * Story Tellers 2nd T 3-6 * Tournament Scrabble T 12-2 TED Philosophy W 10:45-12 SERVICE & SUPPORT GROUPS * AA Lakeside M+TH 4:30-6 AA Women TH 10:30-12 AL-Anon/Al-aTeen M 4:30-5:30 Gamblers Anonymous W 11-1 Green Group 1st T 3-4:30 MS Support Group 3rd W 3-4:30 Niños de Chapala /Ajijic F 10-2 Open Circle SUN 10-12:15 TICKET SALES M-F 10-12 *

VIDEO LIBRARY NEWS New additions for April THE GUARD is a comedy about Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a small-town Irish cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humor, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international cocaine-smuggling ring that has brought straight-laced FBI agent Wendell Everett (played by Don Cheadle) to his door. A 2011 biographical baseball drama, MONEYBALL is an account of the Oakland Athletics 2002 season. Faced with the franchise’s unfavorable financial situation, general manager Billy Beane takes a sophisticated sabermetric approach toward assembling a competitive team. The A’s consequently win 20 consecutive games, an American League record. The film received six Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Brad Pitt. STILL WALKING is an intimate, unsentimental film about a family reunion. Painted with delicate yet powerful brushstrokes, this Japanese film has strong undercurrents of emotion held in check by equally powerful restraint. A family’s devastation at having lost a son hangs heavily on a brother and sister from the first frame. Anybody who has ever spent the night with relatives will feel the weight of family history that this film captures so truthfully. BLACK SWAN, a 2010 American psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky stars Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, and Mila Kunis. The plot revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by a prestigious New York City ballet company. One ballerina is to play both the innocent White Swan and the sensual Black Swan. One dancer, Nina, is a perfect fit for the White Swan, while Lily has a personality that matches the Black Swan. When the two compete for the parts, Nina discovers her dark side. Natalie Portman won an Oscar for Best Performance. These films and other new additions for April are reviewed on the LCS web page and in the smaller white catalog at the Video Library. If you have VHS tapes that you would like to have transferred to DVD discs, we will be happy to do it for you.

Casi Nuevo Thrift Shop Now Accepting Consignment Items! Responding to popular demand, as of March 31, 2012, Casi Nuevo is accepting consignment items. Our donors have been asking us to sell their upscale items and our customers have been asking us to carry more upscale items to help them decorate their homes. Casi Nuevo is now accepting non-clothing, consignment items with a minimum price of $400 pesos including household and pool furniture, kitchen appliances, paintings, silverware, vases, rugs, lamps, desks, TVs, vacuum cleaners, tools and similar household items. Of course, we are still accepting all types of donations for the shop, including clothing, knick-knacks, books, music CDs, and smaller household items. We offer a competitive split of the sales price. All profits from the shop go to support the three charities: School for the Deaf & Children with Special Needs, Have Hammers…Will Travel, and the LCS Community Educational Program. For contact information on low-cost transport of large consignment items to the shop, please phone Jacqueline or Richard at 766-1303 or Email rgwms10@hotmail.com.

Saw you in the Ojo 75

Saturday GAMES DAYS

FILM AFICIONADOS Thursdays in April ALL FILMS IN THE SALA LCS MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED NO DOGS ALLOWED 5 April- 12:00 NOON LE HAVRE - 2012 (Finland) The great Finnish Director Aki Kaurismaki has crafted his masterpiece in this brilliant, loving portrait of the French city of Le Havre. Fate throws a young African immigrant into the life of Marcel in what can only be described as a political fairy tale. 12 April- 2:00 PM AFTERSHOCK - 2010 (China) This Chinese film is based on a true story that came out of the great Chinese earthquake of 1976. A woman is forced to choose which of her two children should be rescued and the consequences of that decision. 19 April- 12:00 NOON THE KID WITH A BIKE - 2011 (Belgium) Cannes Film Festival winner, Academy Award nominee for best Foreign Language Film. This Belgian film is both powerfully human and, against all odds, powerfully humane. 26 April- 2:00 PM EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE - 2011 (USA) Academy Award nominee for Best Picture, this film tells a story like no other, and you will be absorbed in it whether you like it or not.

REMEMBER LCS will be Closed Tuesday, May 1 LABOR DAY

APRIL 21st The LCS Special Events Committee needs volunteers to help organize and run games on the Back Patio one Saturday per month between 10 AM and 2 PM. Games include: Mexican Train (dominoes,) Hand & Foot, (a card game similar to canasta), Scrabble, Darts, and the very popular Texas Hold ‘Em. There is no charge to join in these games. We encourage feedback and suggestions for games not included in this list. A knowledgeable volunteer member is needed to head up each game, and volunteers are needed to assist game leaders. If you want to suggest additional games for Games Day and/ or would be willing to run them as a volunteer, please contact Patricia Doran at 766-0794. Games days are for LCS members only. The next Games Day is Scheduled for April 21.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sponsored by Bella Flores Export “Vehicle Legalization” Presentation on vehicle legalization, qualifying NAFTA vehicle permits and expired permits Saturday, April 14 at LCS Gazebo, 9:30 AM; presentation at 10:00 AM. (First 60 attendees get free pancake breakfast)

Just For the Fun Of It! The theme of the next Storytellers event is FUN: Lakeside's best writers and readers will entertain you with wry, witty, amusing stories Tuesday, April 10, starting at 4 pm. Bar opens at 3:30 pm on the LCS Back Patio Gazebo! All proceeds are distributed by the LCS Student Aid Committee to help keep a kid in school. Storytellers events are fundraisers for the Jim Collums Education Fund, so while admission is free it welcomes donations from you. Please come, have fun!

THE LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY, A.C. 16 de Septiembre #16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco LCS Main Office: (376) 766-1140 Office, information and other services open Monday – Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Grounds are open until 5 PM LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Howard Feldstein (2014); Vice-President - Fred Harland (2013) Treasurer - Paula Haarvei (2013); Secretary - Jihn Rider (2014) Director - Karen Blue (2014); Director - Lois Cugini (2013); Director - Aurora Michel Galindo (2013); Director - Cate Howell (2013); Director - Ann D. Houck (2014); Director - Wallace Mills (2013); Director - Erik Slebos (2014); Director - Sharon Smith (2014); Director - Ben White (2013); Executive Director - Terry Vidal ◊ THE LCS NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY. ◊ Deadline for submissions is the 17th of the month preceding publication. ◊ News items can be e-mailed to Reba Mayo rebaelizabethhill@yahoo.com; cc to Terry Vidal tqv56431@yahoo.com ◊ Note: The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all submissions. ◊ Articles and/or calendar of events will be included according to time, space availability and editiorial decision.

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

Saw you in the Ojo 77

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Service

- EL OJO DEL LAGO Tel. 765-3676

Pag: 55

* ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Pag: 70

* ANIMAL CLINICS/PET SHOP - CLINICA VETERINARIA SAN ANTONIO Tel: 766-0808 Pag: 60 - DEE’S PET HOTEL Tel: 762-1646 Pag: 74 - PET FOOD AND GROOMING Tel: 766-3062 Pag: 22

* ART GALLERIES/HANDCRAFTS - ARTE AMANECER Tel: 765-2090 Pag: 48 - BILLION GALLERY Tel: 106-0840 Pag: 62 - DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683 Pag: 23 - EL PALOMAR Tel: 01 (33) 3635-5247 Pag: 66 - LOLITA’S INN GALLERY Tel: 766-1857 Pag: 67 - MEXIXIC- La Mancha Pag: 50 - SOL MEXICANO Tel: 766-0734 Pag: 48 - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: 765-5097 Pag: 62, 68, 70, 77 - ZARAGOZA Tel: 766-0573, 766-7049 Pag: 58

- CASA DE LAS FLORES Tel: 766-5493 - CASA DEL SOL Tel: 766-0050 - CASA TRES LEONES Cell: (045) 331-350-6764 - VILLA SAN FRANCISCO

Pag: 65 Pag: 15 Pag: 33 Pag: 27

* BEER & LIQUOR STORES Pag: 52

- ALAMBRADOS PEREGRINA Cell: 33-3808-2674 - ARELLANO Tel: 766-4696 - CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING Tel: 766-3626 - MAPRASA Cell: (045) 33-1350-6593 - WARWICK CONSTRUCTION Tel: 765-2224 Cell. (045) 331-135-0763

Pag: 07 Pag: 36 Pag: 66

* BOOKSTORE - SANDI Tel: 01 (33) 3121-0863

Pag: 54

* BOUTIQUE / CLOTHING STORES - ARATI Tel: 766-0130 Pag: 28 - CLOTHES RE-STYLING & ALTERATIONS Tel: 766-1816 Pag: 74 - CUGINIS OPUS BOUTIQUE Tel/Fax: 766-1790 Pag: 03 - FIAGA BOUTIQUE Tel: 766-1816 Pag: 17 - GUAYABERAS PIRAMIDE DE YUCATÁN Pag: 46 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 Pag: 51 - MI MEXICO Tel: 766-0133 Pag: 50

- AJIJIC DENTAL Tel: 766-3682 - C.D. MARÍA LUISA LUIS VILLA Tel/Fax: 766-2428 - C.D. SANDRA ANAYA MORA Tel: 765-3502, 765-5444 - DENTAL EXPRESS Cell: (045) 331-121-6518 - DENTAL HEALTH ONE Tel: 1060-826 - DR. ALBERTO DON OLIVERA Tels: 765-4838, 765-4805 - DR. CARLOS CERDA VALDÉZ Tel: 766-0336 - DR. FRANCISCO CONTRERAS Tel: 765-5757 - DRA. REBECA SANDOVAL Tel: (376) 1060 839 - DRS. MEDELES & BODART Tel: 766 5050 - HÉCTOR HARO DDS Tel: 765-3193

- BELLA FLORES EXPORTS AUTO SALES Tel. (951)7428117 Pag: 62 - LINEA PROFESIONAL Tel. 766-2555, Fax. 766-0066 Pag: 30

- FOLIATTI CASINO

Pag: 82

* CARPENTRY

- AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS Tel: 766-4973 Pag: 38

* CEILING FANS - VENTILADORES DEL OCCIDENTE Tel/Fax: (33) 3631-6619, 3634-9982

* BANK INVESTMENT

Pag: 53

Pag: 31 Pag: 25

Pag: 59

- AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - BLUE MOON Tel: 766-0937 - GLORIOSA SALON Tel: 766-3372 - JAMES DON SALON Tel: 766-4073 - NEW LOOK STUDIO Tel: 766-6000

Pag: 49

Pag: 19

Pag: 24

* COMPUTING SERVICES

Pag: 22

El Ojo del Lago / April 2012

Pag: 07 Pag: 15 Pag: 47, 55

Pag: 63

Pag: 46 Pag: 39 Pag: 63

* HEARING AIDS - LAKESIDE HEARING SERVICES Cell. (045) 33-1511-4088

Pag: 76

* HOME APPLIANCES Pag: 75 Pag: 16 Pag: 53 Pag: 31 Pag: 14, 38

- GYM’NOS LAKE Tel: 766 1278 - FIT FOR LIFE Cell: (045) 331-546-0228 - FIT WELL Tel: 766-4404, Cell. 331-149-7271 - SOUTH OF BORDER TRAINING Cell:(045) 333-458-1980 - STAND BIKE Cell: (045) 33-3814-5913

Pag: 64

Pag: 76 Pag: 53 Pag: 61 Pag: 46 Pag: 34

Pag: 59

- ARTE AMANECER Tel: 765-2090 - INTERIOR & FURNITURE Tel: 766-4666 - SOFA-COMPANY.COM Cell: 331-576-6974 - STRESSLESS Tel: 33-3640-1283 - TEMPUR, MATTRESS AND PILLOWS Tel: (52) 333-629-5919, (52) 33 3611-3049

- GARDEN CENTER Tel. 765-5973 - L & R WATER GARDENS Tel: 766-4386

- SAVIA Tel: 766-0087 - WEIGHT WATCHERS Tel: 01-800-710-3378 - YOGA AJIJIC Tel: 766-0523

Pag: 10

Pag: 48 Pag: 65

- ELECTROVENTA Tel: 765-2222

Pag: 58

* HOTELS / SUITES - ADOBE WALLS INN Tel: 766-1296 - ESTRELLITA’S INN Tel: 766-0917 - HOTEL LA CASONA Tel: 01-800-700-8877 - HOTEL PERICO Cell:333-142-0012 - LA MANSION DEL SOL Tel: 01-800-715-9339 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, Fax: 766-2049 - LOLITA’S INN GALLERY Tel: 766-1857 - QUINTA DON JOSE Tel: 01-800-700-2223 - VILLAS DEL SOL Tel: 766-1152 - VILLA SAN FRANCISCO

Pag: 12 Pag: 69 Pag: 49 Pag: 37 Pag: 50 Pag: 03 Pag: 67 Pag: 07 Pag: 58 Pag: 27

* INSURANCE - EDGAR CEDEÑO - MEXICO PROTECT Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982 - LAKECHAPALAINSURANCE.COM -O&A Tel: 766-0152, 766-3508 - LEWIS AND LEWIS Tel: (310) 399-0800, (800) 966-6830 - PARKER INSURANCE SERVICES Cell: (33) 3809-7116 - PROTEXPLAN U.S. Toll Free 1-800-608-5743 Mexico Toll Free 01-800-681-6730 - TIOCORP Tel: 766-3978

Pag: 16 Pag: 56 Pag: 25 Pag: 52 Pag: 20

Pag: 64 Pag: 24

Pag: 20

* INTERIOR DESIGN Pag: 41 Pag: 57

* GARDENING Pag: 11

* HEALTH

Pag: 32

* FURNITURE

Pag: 52 Pag: 47

Pag: 13

Pag: 66

* COMMUNICATIONS

- CAFE INTERNET AJIJIC Tel: 766-3626 - NEW WORLD TECHNOLOGY Tel. 766-4343

Pag: 66

- FUMI-TECH Tel: 766-1946

* CLEANING SERVICE

- MAILBOXES, ETC. Tel: 766-0647, Fax: 766-0775 761-0363, Fax: 761-0364

* BEAUTY

- FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440 Pag: 71 - REAL ORTEGA-Hardware for Carpenters Tel: 765-7556 Pag: 53

* FUMIGATION

- PROFESSIONAL WINDOW WASHING Tel: 765-4507 Pag: 58

* BARBERSHOP - BARBERSHOP OLD SCHOOL Cell. (045) 33-1405-9503

- DR. VICTOR J. YOUCHA Tel: 766-1973

Pag: 17

Pag: 11

Pag: 06

Pag: 27

- NAPOLEON Tel: 766-6153

* HARDWARE STORES

Pag: 77

- CUSTOM MADE HOME ELEVATORS Tel: 333-559-0444

* CHIROPRACTIC

- INTERCAM Tel: 766-5978 - MULTIVA Tel: 766-2499 -O&A Tel: 766-4481

766-1760 765-4444 766-5555

Pag: 19

* FITNESS

- REAL ORTEGA Tel: 765-7556

* AUTOMATIC DOORS

Pag: 73

* ELEVATORS

* CASINO

066 765-2308, 765-2553 766-3615

* GRILLS

* CONSTRUCTION

* DENTISTS

- ADRI VINOS Y LICORES Cell: 33-3441-6831, Tel: 31-526-465 - BETO’S WINE & LIQUOR Tel: 766-5420, Cell (045) 333-507-3024 - LICORES PAZ - MODELORAMA Tel: 766-2678, 765-2055

* AUTOMOTIVE

Pag: 15

* BED & BREAKFAST

*ALARM/SECURITY SYSTEMS

- ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Tel: 766-5961