El Ojo del Lago by El Ojo del Lago

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Saw you in the Ojo

Richard Tingen

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: (01376) 765 3676, 765 2877 Fax: (01376) 765 3528 Associate Publisher David Tingen Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Jazmin Eliosa Special Events Editor Kay Davis Associate Editor Jim Tipton Contributing Editors Paul Jackson Henri Loridans Feature Editor Jim Tuck (Honorary) Staff Photographer Xill Fessenden Staff Writers Mildred Boyd Ilse Hoffmann Floyd Dalton Fred C. Dobbs Sales Manager Tania Medina (045) 33 1140 3570 tania.medina@mac.com Office Secretary Iliana Oregel 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: Quadrimag S.A. de C.V. 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.

FEATURE ARTICLES

COVER STORY

Harriet Hart and a group of intrepid literary ladies go in search of Juan Rulfo, one of Mexico’s greatest writers and the father of “magical realism.” What they discovered were the remnants of a way of life that (to coin another phrase) has gone with the wind.

8 Cover by Rebecca Ford

13 MEXICAN MIRACLES Robert Kelly writes about a wonderful group called Pasos Milagrosos, whose volunteers experience little miracles almost every day of the week.

26 HUMOR Bill Franklin has several words of advice for the currently-beleaguered Tiger Woods, almost all of them funny.

32 ORNITHOLOGY (of sorts) Katie Goode wonders why birds as well as people sometimes fly south all the way to Mexico. Then, with the help of a few more margaritas, she begins to ponder on a lot of other mystical matters.

36 BOOK REVIEW The late Jim Tuck wrote a review in 2003 of one of our editor’s seven novels, which with the recent re-issue of the book, has been put to good service again.

72 MILITARY HISTORY Robert Drynan stands up in defense of the French military, which during the early years of the war in Iraq, was savagely maligned by politicians in the US because France had declined the “honor” of joining the US in the war.

Reserva al Título de Derechos de Autor 04-2007-111412131300-102 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.

COVER STORY

PUBLISHER

Index...

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

COLUMNS THIS MONTH 6 7 10 12 16 17 18 24 28 40 42 52 53 56 61 62 63 64 66 78 85

Editor’s Page Op-Ed Bridge by Lake Uncommon Sense Thunder on Right World of Wine Faith and Fables Front Row Center Welcome to Mexico Lakeside Living Magnificent Mexico Wondrous Wildlife Child of Month World of Ours Feathered Friends New Lease on Life Planting for Future Hearts at Work Joyful Musings LCS Newsletter Classifieds

LAKESIDE LIVING

z D IRE C TOR Y z

40 MAGNIFICENT MEXICO

VOLUME 26 NUMBER 5

Saw you in the Ojo

Guest Editorial by Fred Mittag “Corruption, Medieval Tribes, And Insurgency”

resident Obama set his strategy for Afghanistan in a speech at West Point. Obama was methodical and encouraged all views, with Vice President Joe Biden the hero, in my opinion. But the consensus resulted in a flawed decision, and reaction was muy rápido. Helen Thomas wrote that Obama failed to mention the greatest contrast between Vietnam and Afghanistan— the draft. I came out of the Army in 1964 and listened with empathy to other students at the University of Houston night school discussing how conscription would disrupt their lives. Those campus conversations don’t happen today. Many in the volunteer Army are those for whom other opportunities seem remote, often blacks and Hispanics. Despair, plus the romance of the uniform, are the attractive magnets of death and injury. Still not enough, we rely on the far more costly mercenaries from Blackwater, killers under uncertain jurisdiction. Politicians glorify our “brave soldiers” and honor their sacrifice —then reject responsibility for the rest of us. In a clear threat the nation sacrifices with war taxes, rationing, and a draft, along with overwhelming public support, including “Rosie the Riveter.” A war tax has been proposed in the Congress for Afghanistan, but met immediate hostility. David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat, said, “I am damn tired of a situation in which only military families are asked to pay any price whatsoever for this war.” But for his colleagues, blood spilling from volunteers is O.K., but please don’t make us pay taxes or face a requirement for national service. How to pay for these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Widespread unemployment distracts the public from supporting the war. There is bipartisan agreement that we should expand warfare without paying for it. The Bush tax cuts for the rich have reduced revenue. Instead, we borrow from China and pay Blackwater, making Erik Prince a billionaire. Frank Rich asked in a recent column how putting more troops in Afghanistan would “vanquish” Taliban forces. Their headquarters is in Pakistan—where U.S. troops may

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

not tread. And there are barely 100 al-Qaeda members in Afghanistan. The rest are in Pakistan and several other countries. The Nation noted that it’s a myth that the greatest danger to American security is a terrorist attack from Afghanistan. The 9/11 attacks were launched in America, and al-Qaeda operates freely in a number of countries. Al-Qaeda is not native, but the Taliban is homegrown. They are trying to retake Afghanistan, making this a civil war. President Karzai’s recent “election” was a fraud, and with only a 10% literacy rate, few people understand the issues. The Powell Doctrine (General Colin Powell) states “Every resource and tool should be used to achieve decisive force against the enemy, minimizing U.S. casualties and ending the conflict quickly.” “Quickly?” Bush diverted troops from Afghanistan and we’ve already been there eight years. There are incongruities here, raising the question of what our mission really is. How will we know when we have won? The misnomer of “War Against Terror” causes problems in the detention of prisoners whose status remains legally uncertain. Al-Qaeda is stateless, and resides in a number of places. They are criminals and I agree with the Nation that “The best way to keep Americans safe from terrorism is through effective intelligence, expert police work and judicious homeland defense. These practical measures cost far less than war and occupation in Muslim lands, which arouse hatred of the United States – and give strength to Islamist extremists.” If Afghanistan is a dilemma, there is by definition no good answer. We should concentrate our nation building at home, including health care, the economy, education, and infrastructure.

By Maggie Van Ostrand

Maya Doomsday

’m sick and tired of hearing disagreements between the U.S.A. and Mexico. First, there’s the emigration thing with fences and coyotes and blustering politicians; second is the drug thing where the U.S. blames Mexico for their own addictive population; and now the U.S. is blaming the Mayas for a prophesied 2012 doomsday scenario. Let’s take them in the above order: the truth is that, with the U.S. in steep recession, their citizens are swimming across the Rio Grande to enter Mexico, not the reverse. The drug thing is bad, true, but without demand, there’d be no supply. As to the most important third item, the Maya calendar predicts an apocalyptic ending to earth in 2012. Much as we may hope they were having a bad day when they came up with that doozy, fact is that, when it comes to cosmic matters, Maya were right way more often than not, as evidenced by a few of their predictions: 1. Solar Eclipse occurred exactly on Maya schedule in 1999. 2. A colossal black hole at the center of our Galaxy, which MIT scientists were unable to gather direct evidence until September 5, 2001. Science calls it a galactic puppeteer. 3. An eruption of cosmic energy rays from the black hole would oc-

cur in 1992, helping to create sun spots and bring increasingly hotter temperatures to Earth. Global warming anyone? 4. Change of consciousness from left-brain thinking (logical) to right-brain (intuitive). If you doubt this, read Sarah Palin’s ghostwritten autobiography. 5. Between November 2007 and October 2008, humanity will lose confidence in paper currency and turn back to gold. Check out Wall Street, dear reader, for confirmation. The Mayas only misread one of their predictions, at least I think it was only one, when they enthusiastically greeted Kukulcan, a white-bearded god from the east and survivor of mythical Atlantis and Kukulcan was really Spanish conquistadors who nearly wiped them out. Whether God or conquerer, that unfortunate arrival did coincide perfectly with the Maya calendar. Wouldn’t you think the U.S. would agree with Mexico about the Maya Doomsday predictions? Here’s why: The Maya year of 360 days is called Tun (toon), 20 Tuns equals one K’atun (k’atoon), and 20 K’atuns equals one Baktun (back-toon). And what do you think I call the U.S. attitude toward Maya predictions? Loonytune.

Saw you in the Ojo

In Search Of Juan Rulfo By Harriet Hart

ne of Mexico’s most famous authors, the man who invented magic realism and inspired such literary luminaries as Gabriel Garcia Marquez is from Jalisco. Juan Rulfo was born in Sayula in 1917 and set his only novel, Pedro Paramo, in the village of San Gabriel where he grew up, renaming it Comala in the book for reasons unknown. The book is a tale of love, loss and revenge told by both the living and the wandering spirits of the dead. Susan Sontag calls Pedro Paramo one of the masterpieces of the twentieth century. Gabriel Garcia Marquez read it so often he had it committed to memory. Juan Rulfo was born to a father whose family had lost their land holdings during the Mexican Revolution. His father was assassinated when Juan was six, his mother died only four years later. He was raised by his grandmother in the village of San Gabriel, placed in an orphan-

The Legendary Juan Rulfo

age and attended just seven years of elementary school. Later he moved to Mexico City where he found employment first as a file clerk and for a time, as a tire salesman. He married Clara Apericio in Guadalajara at the age of 30, fathered two children, and published his first book of short stories Llano en Llamas (The Burning Plain) when he was 40. His second book,

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Pedro Paramo, was published two years later. He died of lung cancer in 1986. His work was so highly regarded that he won Mexico’s National Prize for literature in 1970 and was elected to the Mexican Academy of Language in 1980. In 1985 he received Spain’s Cervantes Prize in recognition of his accomplishments. I must confess I had never heard of the author or his novel until my book club chose it for October’s selection. We didn’t know that Pedro Paramo would send us all on an adventure outside its pages. “Let’s make a literary pilgrimage into Rulfo country. We can hunt for the hacienda that figures so largely in the novel and check out some of the places of his childhood,” someone suggested. We made hotel reservations in Tapalpa and started reading. On October 8th we left Lakeside under sunny skies: nine women, two vans, an ice chest full of treats and two walkie-talkies. We first reached Sayula, which is Rulfo’s birthplace of record, even though many scholars insist that he was born in a nearby village and that his birth was only recorded in Sayula. After a stroll around the town’s shady plaza, we checked out the church and small archeological museum and found a plaque on a wall and a bust of the author.We were off to a promising start. Lunch was in the charming restaurant inside La Casa de los Patios Hotel and Spa where there is a wall of photos dedicated to our man. Stomachs full and spirits high, we headed for Tapalpa. Soon the sun disappeared, the mists rolled in and our mood changed. What was happening up ahead? We passed a black truck that had rolled over in the ditch and something else…a body had been flung from the vehicle and lay there, lifeless. The police weren’t on the scene yet but several vehicles were already stopped. Our driver passed on by, obviously rattled. I touched M’s arm. “His face wore a grimace. That man’s dead,” she said. We rode on in silence, rain falling, windshield wipers moaning like a ghost in Pedro Paramo. The dead had come to greet us. Our hotel, La Casa de Maty, was a foreboding place in the heavy rain with its adobe walls, heavy beams, stone walkways and darkened courtyard. “It’s lovely when the sun shines,” said D. The kindly desk clerk lit a fire

in the lounge while we sipped hot coffee and settled in to discuss the book. Nine women were determined to forget the accident scene behind us and make sense of the disturbing novel before us. The story is simple: Juan Preciado promises his dying mother that he will return to her home town to find his father, Pedro Paramo, a wealthy landowner who imposes his will from the Hacienda Media Luna. When Juan arrives in Comala, he discovers a nearly deserted town populated by ghosts who appear, tell their tales and then vanish. Juan himself eventually dies of fright and is buried with a madwoman named Dorotea. The two continue to converse in their mutual grave. Pedro Paramo is challenging; it doesn’t have a traditional structure with a beginning, middle and end, nor is there character development. It switches back and forth in time and the narrators are constantly changing. On my first reading I found Rulfo’s style inaccessible, but on the second I fell under its spell. Suddenly I wanted to find out who these phantoms were and what had happened to them during their lives. Like Juan Preciado, I had to know who Pedro Paramo really was and could not rest until I did. I learned that he was a ruthless land baron who stole, raped and murdered and whose emotional life was confined to loving two people: childhood sweetheart Susana San Juan and Miguel Paramo, one of his many illegitimate sons who at 17 has already committed a murder. What happens and to whom is not as important as the book’s subject, Mexico itself, during a period in her history when villages were abandoned and people flocked to urban centers like Guadalajara and Mexico City. “The haunting effect of Pedro Paramo derives from the fitful story of Mexican modernity… the novel explores Mexican social history of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The decadent remnants of a quasi-feudal social order, violent revolutions; and a dramatic exodus from the countryside to the city all gave rise to ghost towns across Mexico.” (Prof Danny J. Anderson, University of Texas) If Pedro Paramo and his ranch symbolize the feudal system, Father Renteria represents the role of the church. He is depicted as the village priest who refuses to absolve his parishioners of their sins and who in turn is refused absolution of his own.

The various female characters reveal the role of women in Mexican society at the time. Susana San Juan is powerless against a patriarchal system and a church that offers her no comfort or redemption; she is forced to take refuge in madness. Dolores Preciado, Juan’s mother, was robbed of her land and abandoned by her husband. Dorotea, the woman who pimps for Miguel Paramo in exchange for food, carries around an imaginary child in her rebozo saying that God has “given me a mother’s heart but the womb of a whore.” Juan Rulfo portrays bloodshed, revolution, treachery, rape, incest and death and depicts lost souls haunting the deserted village of Comala, barred from Heaven and condemned to relive their past misdeeds for eternity. Our moderator brought a stack of articles from the internet to get the discussion started. Was the theme passion? Loss? Was it a novel about revenge or was the heart of the novel its symbolism: Catholicism, the plight of women and the modernization of Mexico? We had no answers, only impressions. “It’s written like a dream.” “Pedro Paramo is a mood piece… impressionistic…emotional.” “There is a veil between this life and the next. Rulfo tries to lift the veil.” Pedro Paramo remained elusive. Juan Rulfo had visited San Gabriel in the 1950s and found it abandoned. He said: “It’s one of those big towns with shops measured by the number of street-front doors, there were shops with eight doors, with ten doors--and when I arrived the houses were padlocked. The people had left, just left.” The following morning our book group headed for San Gabriel. We passed lush meadows filled with wildflowers as if they

Harriet Hart Photo by Margaret Larson

had been painted by Monet, made wrong turns, asked directions from crones in rebozos and youths carrying backpacks, and finally found the ruins of Hacienda Media Luna. Here was the inspiration for Pedro Paramo itself. I expected a deserted ruin on a windswept dusty plain. Instead there were signs of life: coke bottles, smoke from a small fire, a radio playing just off the station. Jalisco is funding the renovation of the Media Luna with its promise of literary tourism. The crew boss gave us an impromptu tour as the workmen gazed with interest at nine gringas. A toothless old lady (who could easily have been Damina Cisneros there to fetch Juan Preciado) told us that the virgin was visiting tomorrow; the church was decorated and ready. A trinket salesman tried to sell us souvenirs, amazed by this sighting of pilgrims 24 hours ahead of schedule. We continued on to San Gabriel. Real people now walk the streets; they sell underwear and tennis shoes in the plaza, run taco stands and drink beer. There is a bright green house near the centre with a plaque indicating this is where the orphaned author spent his formative years. Apparently, the current owner sometimes gives tours but she was busy when we rang the bell and sent us packing. After a quick lunch in a soft rain we began our homeward journey. Had our trip brought us any closer to Juan Rulfo and his novel? It was hard to picture Pedro Paramo greeting revolutionaries at the Media Luna, feeding them chocolate, tortillas and beans when today the descendants of these men are whistling, swigging coca cola, and restoring the hacienda. It was difficult standing on the street outside Rulfo’s home in San Gabriel, imagining a sensitive boy whose father had been murdered and whose memories were permanently scarred by the Cristeros rebellion, when today it is inhabited by a woman trying to eat her lunch in peace. Before I drifted off to sleep that night, I thought: how would I feel if I returned to my home town and it was closed for business? What if Murray’s General Store and Wilson’s Grill were boarded up, if all the people had moved away and the streets were empty? Would I visit the cemetery and talk to the graves? Would those beneath my feet come to life? I drifted off to sleep wondering what Juan Rulfo would think of Jalisco today.

Saw you in the Ojo

BRIDGE BY THE LAKE By Ken Masson

tudent bridge players learn many maxims that are intended to help them in mastering this fascinating game: “cover an honor with an honor”, “second hand low” “eight ever, nine never” are just a few. Apparently, one of the defenders of this hand was not familiar with another bridge saying: “keep parity with the dummy”. South opened 1NT to show a balanced 15 to 17 points. North’s 2 clubs was Stayman, asking declarer if he had a four card major. When South bid 2 diamonds to deny a four card major, North made the unusual bid of a jump to 6 diamonds. North’s reasoning was that if South was short in hearts and spades, it was reasonable to expect some length in diamonds. South only held 3 diamonds but as this included the King and Queen, a reasonably good small slam was reached. West led the club Jack and South paused to plan the hand. Declarer could count 6 diamonds, 2 clubs, 1 heart and, after the ace was lost, at least 2 spades for eleven tricks. An extra trick could be achieved in one of two ways: (1) if the opponents’ spades were divided 3-3, the long spade in dummy would become the twelfth trick or (2) if the opponents’ diamonds were divided 2-2, declarer could trump dummy’s fourth spade in hand, again for the twelfth trick. With this plan in mind, declarer pitched a heart from the dummy and won the opening Jack of clubs lead in hand with the Ace. Next, South cashed the trump King and crossed

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

to dummy with a diamond to the Ace and was disappointed to see West show out of diamonds. But every cloud has a silver lining and declarer took note of the card that West did play: the 9 of spades, apparently to show his partner the Ace of that suit. Declarer now returned to hand with a diamond to the Queen, drawing the opponents’ last trump. South now cashed the club King to pitch his last heart in dummy and followed this with a spade to the Queen. A low spade was next played from dummy to declarer’s King and West’s Ace but that was the end of things as far as the defense was concerned. West only had the spade 7 left, (East had no more spades) while dummy still had the Jack and 5, so declarer could claim 12 tricks. This is where “keeping parity with the dummy” becomes necessary. There was no need for West to show his spade Ace to partner as declarer was bound to have at least two spades for his no trump opening bid and any loser in that suit could scarcely go away. From the bidding, West knew that South had precisely 2 or 3 spades. And more importantly, West’s spade holding combined with East’s meant that it was vital for West to keep all four spades as long as dummy held four. Declarer could never set up a twelfth trick and the slam contract would have to fail.

Saw you in the Ojo

UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE By Bill Frayer

We Are What We Assume

f you are a conservative, you probably cannot imagine how those on the left can possibly be in favor of ideas you think are so irresponsible and dangerous. If you are a liberal, you probably cannot imagine how those on the right can possibly live with themselves by opposing sensible programs which help those who need help the most. In fact, both conservative and liberal thinkers are, in fact, thinking logically. The difference is that they are basing their conclusions on very different value assumptions. Last month, I discussed assumptions, or ideas we take for granted when we think. When we make assumptions, we usually don’t question them, but accept them as true. Value assumptions are assumptions we make about basic values. People with very different world views, like liberals and conservatives, hold very different value assumptions, which lead to very divergent conclusions. Let’s look at a few examples. Now, one conservative value assumption is the libertarian idea that government is inherently inefficient and should be minimal. If you assume that a small government is inherently better, you naturally would oppose the kind of government bailouts and government involvement in healthcare being proposed in the US by the Obama Administration. If, on the other hand, you are a liberal, you likely do not trust the free market to make decisions which are in the best interest of the population at large, and you think a legitimate role of government is to look out for the well being of those who need help. You will likely agree with the government spending money to rescue the economy and regulate healthcare. The difference is the underlying value assumptions. Most opinions are based, to some degree, on value assumptions. If you believe homosexuality is a conscious choice, you may favor policies against legal protection for people based on sexual orientation, which discourage people from

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Bill Frayer

“deciding” to become homosexual. If, on the other hand, you believe that homosexuality is an inborn trait, like skin color, you will likely favor policies, like allowing samesex marriage, which do not penalize homosexuals for being who they are. If you believe the Bible is indeed the word of God which should be followed literally, you will look to scripture for guidance in every decision you make. If you consider the Bible to be a collection of ancient writings which reflect ancient values which are not particularly applicable today, you will not consult the Bible when making important decisions. The critical idea here is that our strongly-held opinions are likely based on those values we assume to be true. And we all hold certain strong values. Americans and Canadians value the idea of being punctual and true to our word. Mexicans, on the other hand, do not value punctuality as much and will often value courtesy and making someone happy at the moment more than being absolutely honest. What looks like an unreasonable delay in completing a job to a Canadian or American may seem normal to a Mexican with different cultural value assumptions. When you have a strong disagreement with someone, try considering how your value assumptions differ. Life partners may argue about money. One partner may believe that it is preferable to conserve wealth to hedge against unexpected expenses. His partner may believe that money is to use and enjoy today. These different value assumptions about money can lead to familiar tensions. Resolving differences can be easier when you identify your different underlying assumptions. Try it. Discuss your value assumptions. You may be surprised. Next month I will examine creative, outside-the-box, thinking.

MIRACLES IN MEXICO By Robert Kelly

t Pasos Milagrosos, we really do believe in miracles! Emilio Ramirez, aged four, arrived at Elena and Pablo Cooper’s “Pasos Milagrosos” (“Miraculous Steps”) Equine Therapy Program, in March, 2007. Emilio has Asperger Syndrome, a condition falling in the autism spectrum (ASD). Locked into himself, frustrated and fearful of the world, Emilio was hostile, aggressive (even biting), and unable to communicate. Resisting all, he remained thus through three months of ground training trying to make him comfortable around the horses, therapists and volunteers. A breakthrough came in June that year when he first allowed himself to be put on a horse. Slowly over the next months, the warmth and rhythmical movements of the horse, “BiBi” began to take effect, relaxing him somewhat, and even evoking the odd slight smile. Within another month he began, hesitantly and infrequently, to acknowledge the presence of his instructress, Maestra Velia. During that winter, direct instruction on fine motor and cognitive skills and communication were introduced into his program leading to a limited ability to listen and to follow some simple verbal and visual directions. This significant change was Emilio’s first real attempt at socializing and communicating. It was a major step and his interest in mounting and riding seemed to increase concurrently. All through 2008 Maestra Velia continued to encourage him to trust her and to come out of his world of ASD but it remained mostly a one-sided love affair, with Emilio unable to give himself over. Progress was slow over the winter but in the summer of 2009, he became increasingly vocal and one day to everyone’s amazement and great delight, dramatically called “BiBi” his horse, “Louie.” From that point his progress “took off” and by autumn he really blossomed—frequently seeming to escape his “locked in” world. Fully bonded with “Louie,” chattering to himself while riding, his hostility lessened and he began to participate increasingly in more aspects of the program. By winter, in addition to doing puzzles: colors, shapes, animals and numbers, with truly incredible speed and accuracy, he was able to correctly hold a marker pen and draw animals which he now identifies orally—and

loudly. Lately he has even begun to suggest the order in which some of the puzzles should be ordered or completed. At last free and able to do so he talks constantly, sings songs and seems to trust everyone. Two and a half years after he joined “Pasos” the foundations have been laid upon which his neurological functions, sensory processing and psychological well being are, and can be, improved. Through his reciprocal love for “Louie”, through the trust, love, dedication and patience of the Coopers, the therapists and the volunteers, this child is now bursting to fully embrace a world which once terrified him. Initially hostile, aggressive, and virtually non-responsive, Emilio has opened up and is evolving into a happy and loving child. Since its beginning in 2007, over 30 children have been assisted similarly through the variety of equine therapy programs at “Pasos.” A new computer program has been added and who knows maybe Emilio will be able to participate in it. At “Pasos Milagrosos”, we REALLY DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES as we witness our dear Emilio and his fellow students finding freedom and joy formerly alien to them. This non-profit organization is entirely funded and operated by the generosity of the Coopers, contributions from the public, the medical assessors, therapists and volunteers. Needless to say, contributions are always welcome. Save the Date: The next “fundraiser” is the 4th Annual Equestrian Extravaganza, 2p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010 at La Quinta Cross Ranch (Prol. Ocampo 640, Alseseca, Ajijic. Welcome one and all to see the fantastic equestrian show and some of the children going through their programs, dinner and Mariachi. Tickets at “Pasos” (7635764) or Dr. C Zavala, Javier Mina #38: (766-1604) 600 Pesos each. www.pasosmilagrosos.com, Come visit!

Saw you in the Ojo

ONLY FIVE SECONDS By Jose Amador Translation by Elizabeth Sellars

d. Note: Over the next few issues, we shall be running excerpts from Jose Amador’s excellent collection of short stories entitled Mexican Memories. The book sells for 90 pesos and can be found at most book stores at Lakeside.) I remember Tarcisio perfectly. We were companions and friends at school, and he excelled at everything. In school he always received the highest grades. He rode horses well, he participated in the rodeos, and he even liked to sing. Besides, because of his good looks and happy disposition, women liked him. One of the clearest memories I have of Tarcisio is playing hide and seek, because he was difficult to find. However, he wasn’t good at working. He didn’t enjoy work, so he dreamed of marrying a woman with money and helping her to manage it. Then Cupid, trying to help him, thought that Gertrudis, daughter of

the deceased Serapio and Mercedes, would be the perfect candidate. She was single and had inherited, among other properties, the Los Guayabos ranch. To provoke a meeting, Cupid led Tarcisio to a cattle branding at that ranch. I went as his companion. As he entered the cattle pens, while Gertrudis centered her attention on him, he treated her with indifference. For good reason: she was homely, explaining why she hadn’t married. But this time the “little procurer angel” had decided to remove Tarcisio’s resistance toward her. So Cupid hurled toward my friend arrows carrying information: about the cattle, the land, and Gertrudis’s other possessions. They all hit the target of his ambition. That was one of the last times I saw him, for I had already gone to live in Mexico City, where I remained trapped for life. In spite of time and distance, I

continued to get news of the town and the people. One piece of gossip told me of the simple wedding of Tarcisio and Gertrudis. That wedding was an unattractive picture! I forgot to tell you that besides being ugly, Gertrudis always wore pants and boots and looked mannish. To finish criticizing her, she was bossy. On one of my journeys to the town, Tarcisio and I met, and we immediately embraced our old affec-

tion. In that moment I realized his conversation and facial expressions were guarded. The plans he had imagined, to help his wife with her business, had failed, as she had not allowed his participation. To hinder their relationship even more, I think that Gertrudis was barren, and a marriage without children rarely can solidify. To finish wearing away his dreams, my friend had to work fattening pigs in the pens of the old ranch house. While doing this job, a few months after our meeting, something happened to him that would change his life. One afternoon while he fed the animals, one of the pigs, as it leaned against a pilaster to scratch itself, knocked down part of the column. A pitcher lay uncovered and Tarcisio broke it, finding it full of gold coins. He took the coins, leaving only broken shards, with one coin lying among them. That night, without telling anyone, Tarcisio disappeared into thin air. Today, ten years later, neither his family nor his friends have seen his face. Some people say he was kidnapped and killed. Others believe the river dragged him under, together with his horse and his treasure. It’s also said that he went crazy and ended up in an insane asylum. The people of the town keep making these foolish remarks. They are all lies, because I know he left to follow his dream. I was right. Yesterday, while I watched on television a bullfight in Seville, the camera panned the barrier surrounding the bullring for a few seconds, and then for three seconds it focused on Tarcisio. He was smoking a cigar, accompanied by a pretty young woman, and between the two was a little boy. Those five seconds were sufficient time to realize he was savoring happiness.

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Saw you in the Ojo

THUNDER ON THE RIGHT By Paul Jackson paulconradjackson@gmail.com

must confess to not knowing the name of a single Canadian television evangelist. One assumes there must be the odd one scattered around up in the great white north, but if there are they certainly do not hold the sway of American television evangelists. Indeed, Canadians are perplexed—and quite often appalled —by American televison evangelists and their huge audiences and money-making endeavors. Must admit, though, ever since being a teenager I have had great admiration for Billy Graham, and also for his late Roman Catholic counterpart, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, and one of the great books of religious philosophy was by Rabbi Harold Kushner, a very insightful Jewish work: When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Also as a young adult I found the works of Norman Vincent Peale—The Power of Positive Thinking and The Tough-Minded Optimist—quite compelling. Yet why are there really no Canadian evangelical superstars? Well, as I try to explain to my American friends, while Canada may be scattered with McDonald’s restaurants and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets, it really is a greatly different country up here, both culturally and historically, here, as an aside, I should explain the largest fast food chain in Canada is not McDonald’s but Tim Horton’s which is one of the biggest business success stories in Canada’s history. This vast chain dwarfs

Paul Jackson

all its competitors combined. Incidentally, Tim Horton’s, founded by a hockey player and his manager, is actually where Canadian Conservatives do their political polling. “What are the folks talking about over at Tim’s today?,” is what Conservative strategists ask almost on a daily basis. To get that information, rather than pay gross amounts of money to large polling companies, it costs the local Conservative branch just $1.64 for a large cup of coffee, which is quite advantageous since political parties here are governed by rigorous financial rules and lobbyists are virtually unknown. Of all the Canadian prime ministers I have interviewed over the years—an astonishing 10 in all not one had a religious advisor as do American presidents, and if any of them went to church on a Sunday they did so very privately and without fanfare. So does this mean Canadians unlike their American cousins are amoral heathens? Not at all. If there were a Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky style sex scandal in Canada the prime minister would be gone overnight. Wouldn’t stand a chance of survival. Wouldn’t ever dare show his face in public again. Indeed, 30 years ago there was a political sex scandal in Canada, when it was found a Liberal cabinet minister, actually the solicitorgeneral who enforced the laws on what other Canadians could do, had adulterously got a married woman pregnant, and personally forged her husband’s name on the abortion consent papers. I was in the Parliament the day the cabinet minister, his voice trembling and his hands shaking, had to stand up, confess to his sins, and resign forthwith. He never ran for public office again. So while religion may not be a big deal here, morality in politics is expected and the punishment for wrongful behavior is swift and deadly. If only it were so in the U.S. of A.

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The World of Wine By Ceci Rodriguez

New Zealand

ew Zealand has only just made the top 30 of worldwide wine production. Amazingly, this has been achieved within the lifetime of one generation! This country is making extraordinary, high quality wines. The first of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vineyards were planted in 1833 by James Busby, who had been a pioneer of the wine industry in Australia. In the second half of the nineteenth century, many settlers from Dalmatia came to work the gum fields of North Island and, in due course, they planted vineyards. New Zealand has led the field, being the pioneer in canopy management and trellising techniques, in making the best use of the available heat and sunlight to create/enhance sugars and flavours in the grapes. In wine technology, it uses certain advantages like stainless steel and temperature control, to afford high standards of hygiene and careful handling of fermenting wines. Their techniques have resulted in very pure, intense varietal expressions in the wines. The outcomes have been most dramatic with Sauvignon Blanc, in which New Zealand has created a new classic style. The most important area for Sauvignon Blanc is Marlborough, where this grape develops intense aromas, concentrating on capsicum, cut

grass and elderflower, but may include passion fruit, stony mineral notes and hints of creamy oak. If you like white wine, you should include it in your top ten. Until recently, it had been perceived that because of its climate, New Zealand was a country for white wines only. Now Pinot Noirs are favorably compared with those from Burgundy. Exceptional examples can be found from Martinboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich, cherry-fruit and velvet texture; Marlborough, usually a little lighter and more vegetal, and from Central Otago, whose wines are complex and powerful, yet elegant. Combined with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir account for more than three-quarters of all plantings on both Islands. The remaining wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, account for the remaining one-quarter. Regardless of which New Zealand wine you choose to taste, it will be a good one. These are not cheap wines, but they are worth it. Be assured that you will enjoy each penny that you spend.

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OF O F F FAITH AITH A AND ND F FABLES ABLES By Bob Haynes bzhaynes@gmail.com

Otra Dia Otra Aventura- Shalom!

nother Day, another Adventure…Shalom! That’s the message for all of us here in Mexico as we find ourselves immersed in a New Year with new wonders awaiting us. Those expectations of good things to come should also remind us of the importance of being connected with God and living a life filled with faith and joy. I have been asked many times why I use the word “Shalom” to end each of my columns. Because the full extent of the meaning of that word takes a while to explain, I haven’t dedicated any part of a column to explain my purpose, until now. Since 2010 is a new beginning for all of us I wanted to spend a few minutes with you to try to “unpack” the full meaning of the word Sha-

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lom! Most of us know that it first means “Peace.” But that’s just a small part of its entire meaning. Shalom also is a blessing given to all who use the term in communication with others. When you use that term (at least in my definition) you mean to wish them completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony and the absence of agitation or discord. A program host on a Christian Radio program once said: “No wonder the Jewish people are so blessed, because every time they say Shalom to one another, they are also allowing the full meaning of SHALOM to be pronounced over them. He then humorously proceeded to say that

this greeting word would be much more beneficial to the American people if they greeted each other with SHALOM instead of their usual “Hi” or “Howdy” greeting.” Mr. David Silver provided these definitions of the word Shalom. The root verb Shalom means “to be complete, perfect and full.” In Modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means “to pay for”, and Shulam means “to be fully paid.” SAR SHALOM (Prince of Peace) is one of the descriptive names the Bible uses to indicate the ministry and personality of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 - The Son of God is completely perfect in all things. So in essence, when you speak out the word SHALOM - you are not only proclaiming peace, but all the meanings of the word over that person - and that’s a mighty big blessing! Remember what the word of God says - “There is life or death in the power of the tongue.” I suspect that applies to the written word as well. To all of you who have been so kind as to respond about how you enjoy the Fables and Faith articles, I want you to know how blessed I

have been for the opportunity. In the months to come in this year of 2010, we can look toward the future knowing that what God has in store for us will be another day, another adventure surrounded in Shalom. In Numbers 6:24-26 we read these words and I echo them: The Lord blesses you and keeps you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM. In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace! Shalom!

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ear Sir: Bob Harwood’s This World of Ours column on COPENHAGEN sets out the various positions and commitments going into the Conference but says nothing about the outcomes when the real decision makers arrived. There was agreement on building a significant fund to aid poor and developing nations adapt to global warming. Agreement was reached between America and China with Obama reiterating his 17% initial reduction commitment from 2005 emission levels and China its commitment to a reduced rate of emissions and the need for some yet to be defined international oversight. China, India, Brazil and South Africa representing almost half of humanity spoke with a single clear voice. All nations must cast their commitments in more specific language within weeks. America and Canada representing only 5% of humanity, 5% that are profligate emitters, are now clearly under the gun. And in his idealistic internationalism Harwood seems oblivious to the real world of national politics that await leaders back home. In America, Obama must sort with an increas-

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ingly dysfunctional Congress facing a great weight of other unresolved issues and looming mid term elections. Well heeled lobbyists are not going to stop. Senators and Congressmen facing reelection will not jump at curbs impacting their constituencies. At least Obama now has the EPA regulation possibility to prod legislators. On this issue most of Canada’s Provinces and people are away ahead of Harper who continues to stake everything on the need to be in step with America because of their intertwined economies. But what if in the cut and thrust of American politics Obama turns negative on Alberta tar sands oil to win concessions in another area? Alberta’s emissions have soared more than 50% since 1990 because of those oil sands! Stay tuned as events unfold in the weeks ahead. From a shamed Canadian, Bob Harwood

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INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION By Tracy Novinger

d. Note: What follows is an excerpt from Ms. Novinger’s excellent book. It was published by the University of Texas Press, sells for $16.95 and can be purchased from amazon.com) Communication between the United States and Mexico will always be difficult but never impossible. The successful U.S. corporation Corning and the giant Mexican glass manufacturer Vitro, in Monterrey, formed a cross-border alliance in 1991 that seemed blessed. They both had histories of successful joint ventures and a global orientation, and both were still headed by founding families. In February of 1994, however, Corning handed back Vitro’s $130 million dowry and called the match off. Francisco Chavez, an analyst with Smith Barney Shearson in New York, said, “The cul-

tures didn’t match...It was a marriage made in hell.” On a day-to-day basis, no single country affects the national interest of the United States in more ways than Mexico. On an economic level, in 1993 Mexico had become the United States’ second

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largest trading partner, after Canada. Mexico was buying 70 percent of its foreign purchases from the United States, which in turn absorbed 67 percent of Mexico’s exports. One year after the 1993 signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), statistics from the U.S. Commerce Department measured Mexico’s imports from the United States as equal to the combined U.S. imports of Germany, France, Italy, China, and Russia. Jesus Reyes-Heroles, Mexican ambassador to the United States in 1998, pointed out that by 1997, trade between Mexico and the United States had reached $170 billion- double the amount in 1993. Reyes-Heroles called the success of NAFTA a well-kept secret. But even greater success is available to those who will take the time to understand cultural differences, whether they be Mexicans or North Americans. The twentyfive-month business union between Corning and Vitro that held such great potential was damaged by constant cultural clashes that proved fatal. Corning managers did not expect to have to wait for important decisions. The manner of decision-making in U.S. and Mexican cultures is different. One needs to know that only high-level executives in Mexico can make decisions, and Vitro’s decision-makers were often busy with other matters. Vitro-as is typical of Mexican businesses-was more hierarchical in structure than is the norm in the United States. In Mexico, a loyalty to fathers and patrones somehow carries over to modern corporations. As a matter of loyalty or tradition, decisions are often left to a member of the

controlling family or to top executives, and the opinions of midlevel managers are usually not requested. The cultural gap separating the two businesses amounted to a different approach to work, which was reflected in scheduling, decision-making, and etiquette. Cultural disparities hurt the two companies’ ability to react together to a fast-changing market with a stronger peso, increased overseas competition, and a rethinking of market strategies by both Vitro and Corning. The cultural hurdles to successful business seemed insurmountable, so the two companies called off the promising joint venture. The failure of the Corning-Vitro alliance was unfortunate. Many think that Mexico offers the greatest business opportunities that North Americans will see in their lifetimes. In the 1950s and 1960s “Made in Japan” signaled an inferior product to much of the world, but the Japanese made a remarkable change in the quality of their production in just a few decades. Mexico today may be on the same track to significant changeand some say that now is the time to establish a market presence. Henry Kissinger wrote that Mexico’s propensity to import from the United States is the highest in the world with or without NAFTA. In the next century Mexico will have a population of more than one hundred million, our de facto open borders make friendly relations a vital national interest, and twenty million Mexican residents in the United States link the interests of the two nations on the human level. Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, who was elected mayor of Mexico City in 1996, campaigned in Chicago for Mexican votes.

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FRONT ROW CENTER By Michael Warren Don’t Dress For Dinner By Marc Camoletti Directed by Roger Tredway

his Marc Camoletti play embodies all the best traditions of French farce—mistaken identity, misunderstandings, lies, adultery and deceit. If you are looking for redeeming social purpose, go elsewhere. This play is cheerfully retro and happily un-PC, and extremely funny. There is even a (sort of) happy ending, and the audience just sat back and enjoyed themselves. At the final curtain, they gave the cast a well-deserved ovation. “Bernard” plans a sexy weekend with his mistress “Suzanne” while his wife “Jacqueline” is away visiting her mother. His best friend “Robert”— just returned from Hong Kong—is also arriving, and will provide a useful alibi, in case the neighbors notice Suzanne. In order to ensure a delicious dinner, Bernard arranges for a cook (called “Suzette”) from the “Bon Appetit” gourmet culinary agency. It’s all set up – nothing can go wrong. However, unknown to Bernard, Robert is having a clandestine affair with Jacqueline, who decides to stay home when she hears that Robert is on his way. And Robert also mistakes the cook for the mistress – both are called Suzy. When Suzanne arrives, she has to pretend to be the cook, and from here on it’s downhill all the way. The cast handled the increasing chaos with an amusing mixture of puzzlement and deadpan humor. The pacing was good though I felt that some of the slapstick (pie in the face, etc. was overdone. Zane Pumiglia was suitably lecherous as Bernard, desperately trying to bed Suzanne

without being discovered by Jacqueline. Perhaps his interpretation lacked the poise and sophistication that the author intended—instead he padded around the stage like a frustrated bear. Gerry Marttila was excellent as Jacqueline, alternately the suspicious wife and the amorous would-be mistress. And Randi Watkins played Suzanne with a world-weary air that only a vodka martini (actually, several martinis) could make this crazy weekend bearable. Both of these actors had good timing, and managed to look glamorous in the midst of the ongoing confusion. Ken Yakiwchuk as Robert portrayed unwillingness followed by embarrassment, and eventually what-the-hell enjoyment with some skill, and also managed some long tongue-twister speeches. The audience applauded his verbal dexterity. Whenever she was on stage, Georgette Richmond, as Suzette the cook, stole the show. She was simply hilarious – posing as mistress, model, actress, whatever. She had a perfect part for her comedic talents. I should also mention the ponderous Paul Dupont, who appears towards the end as Suzette’s husband “George.” All in all, an entertaining evening which was a stimulus for the funnybone. Roger Tredway did a good job with the varied talents of his cast, and introduced some neat touches —the mooing sound of the doorbell and the onstage transformation of Suzette from cook to model. The set was effective as a farm building converted to a country retreat near Paris. Congratulations to the Production Crew and particularly to Trish Conner (Stage Manager) who kept the show rolling and even read the part of Suzette while Georgette lip-synched in the preview show. Fortunately Georgette recovered her voice in time for the regular run of the play. By the time you read this, it will be 2010 – may I wish my readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

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GRABBING G RABBING THE THE TIGER TIG GER BY BY THE THE TAIL TAIL By Bill Franklin

enny Bruce said that when your wife comes home and sees you in bed with another woman, deny it. Have the woman get dressed and walk out the door and then deny everything. Because, according to Lenny, eventually your wife will begin to doubt what she saw, but she will remember forever your confession. Oh Tiger, what have you done? There were so many things Tiger could have said. He could have taken the Clinton approach: “I didn’t have sex with that women.” Tiger would have had to modify it a little to read, “I didn’t have sex with all those women.” I would have advised Tiger to change it just a bit more to: “There must be someone I didn’t have sex with.” Oh Tiger, what have you done? Most guys when they get caught don’t feel compelled to go run into trees. What’s with the tree, Tiger? Go slam a door or break a dish or something. Break golf equipment even. But don’t do penance by tree. Tiger said on his website that he wasn’t living up to his values. I of course think he was. Just because Tiger has this sort of Quaker Oats way about him, we shouldn’t confuse that with the young dude with a billion dollars. So what are Tiger’s real values? Now, we can look at them in different ways. Karl Marx would say Tiger was just throwing his class consciousness around, finding

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pretty laborers to exploit. If this is true, Tiger made a big mistake. Hell hath no fury like a jilted exploited pretty laborer armed with voice mail recordings and her own sense of social justice. Oh Tiger, your class stripes are showing. Or we can look at it as Freud might. Instead of Tiger fibbing about not living up to his values he could have just said, “There sure are a lot of women who look just like my mother.” We, as a social group, don’t really know if the Oedipal Complex runs particularly strong in golfers. Freud, by the way, wasn’t living up to his values. Instead of helping mankind, he pretty much did his part to ruin our sex life. I, of course, like the way Italians would handle it. They, robustly, would remind Tiger’s wife that she is lucky she got a guy who is so attractive to other women. Oh, Italians! You dudes make me blush with shameless guy pride. Or we could look at the question of values from a statistical per-

spective. What is the ratio of artless philanderers with a billion dollars to the portion of humanity that also has a billion dollars and remains true to the spouse? To answer that we’d need to do a field study. “Warren Buffet, do you have a billion dollars?” “I do.” “Well then, do you cheat on your wife?” “Have you seen me running into many trees lately?” “Thank you, Warren.” “Bill Gates, cheat on your wife?” “Have you seen my wife? My wife scares me senseless.” So OK, Tiger, this sampling may not be statistically significant but we can say that two out of three billionaires think you blew it. But because I am modern and only think in terms of evolutionary psychology, I would say Tiger was just being used. Used not by these women but by Nature. Nature got in there and started ripping Tiger off. Nature, and I think Darwin, would agree with me here, Nature just absolutely yearns for good golfers. So the Universe, in its infinite wisdom, realized it had an

alpha male here (who could putt) and who didn’t know what he was doing, and plied him with offerings of cocktail this and waitress that. But of course Nature, like the Devil himself, is sneaky. Nature can’t just demand folks read Origin of the Species. No, Nature has to convince our Tiger types that romance is the order of the day and so, funny thing, Nature had Tiger tell all these girls that they were special and first-rate candidates to be his second, third, fourth and fifth wife. Tiger, you make me long for the days before the instant recorder. Emmanuel Kant must have looked into the future and had cell phones in mind when he said you should act as if your every act becomes a universal law. Or, in other words, act as if your particular show is going to be around forever. In our New Brave Digital World, the wisdom of Lenny Bruce only helps if no one is taking pictures. We’ve got something worse than God watching us these days. Cell phone cameras bring small-town morality to the big city and have Tiger (and us) by the ever-lovin tail.

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Welcome to Mexico! By Victoria Schmidt

Playtime

he wheelbarrow was red and lined with the scratches of use. The rope was long and worn. These were the toys of two small children who played outside of the farmacia one night as I sat inside the comfort of our van awaiting my husband’s return from his pharmaceutical chores. The young girl was no more than seven years old, the boy about four or five. Both children were dressed in clothes that were well worn. Their play was infectious and impromptu. Their toolsturned-toys delighted the children. First she arranged the wheelbarrow in one spot. She thought it was level, then she tried to get inside the wheelbarrow and it started to tip. Instead of trying to get inside, she stood back and reasoned it out, and then rearranged the wheelbarrow. This process repeated three more times until she sat triumphantly in the wheelbarrow. Meanwhile her brother was busy attempting to lasso the street signs. He’d gather the rope in a series of circles in his hand, and then circle the rope in the air above his head and tossed it toward the sign. After each miss, he’d try a slightly different approach: one handed, both hands or jumping. The one I enjoyed the most was the last minute jump…after he had tossed the rope. After a few tries, he looked at his sister, who was by now sitting securely and self-satisfied in the wheelbarrow. An idea was born. He tied the rope to the front wheel

brace and the other end of the rope to his leg and attempted to pull the wheelbarrow. He pulled the rope taught and with all the might his small body could muster, he strained against that rope… to no avail. His sister, rather than sitting firmly in the wheelbarrow, tried her hardest to will her weight away. She pulled herself up, but that didn’t work. She looked over one side, then the other side, and then she removed herself from the comfort of her wheelbarrow seat and instead, took the handles. She guided it, so that her brother thought he was pulling it and he squealed in delight. Then, without conferring, another game began. She would advance, and he would retreat. And the game continued over the sidewalk, into the street, pausing for an occasional car, and resuming after the car had passed. I marveled as I watched these two children. I was mesmerized by their play. And as I watched them with their simple “toys,” I though of other children I watched at play in the Northern United States. Did I remember such simplicity? Such joy? Could I remember a brother and sister playing together so harmoniously? Well, perhaps at times, but not often. What I remember are arguments over expensive toys. And girls and boys who didn’t want to be bothered with spending time with their siblings. I remember arguing--lots of arguing….and the whine, “Do we have to?” when a parent would intervene. I wondered how the children outside the farmacia that night would interact with the children in America. Would the American children be as thrilled with an old red wheelbarrow and a length of old rope?

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Victoria Schmidt

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RE-GIFTING By Margie Harrell

e-gifting....an interesting word. Unheard of a few years ago but then the whole English language seems to have taken on a life of its own, what with all the new computer lingo out there. That’s not to say that I’m not familiar with the concept but we used to call it recirculating white elephants. Along with less is more, I have embraced a new motto - if I can’t eat it or read it I don’t need it. Mind you, that doesn’t always work out for me as I’m still trying to unload a wheel of chili flavored cheese and three bags of beef jerky. Re-gifting isn’t only limited to the holiday season. It you have a friend/relative who is downsizing, my advise is to steer clear of them until the move is completed. I ended up with an ugly green laz-boy chair that took me months to get rid of. I always feel a slight twinge of guilt as I pass along some items as my memory isn’t what it used to be and there is always the slight chance it is returning home, if you get my drift. But honesty is always the best policy so when my son asked if I would mind if he exchanged the ivory chess set I gave him for a power tool, I said “go for it” as I had already turned in a gym membership he had given me for three manicures and a pedicure. Jewelry is always a great gift to give as it rarely gets recycled, although, that cocktail ring my girlfriend gave me for my birthday sure looks familiar. One of the pluses of the advancing years is that the mind

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doesn’t worry about what happened last week and enjoys the moment. Surely she wont recognize the bath salts I gave her. Have you noticed that we tend to buy things that we would like to receive ourselves? My sister didn’t really need that sombrero grande I bought for her in Mexico but it sure would look good on my patio. I think we should have a pass-itaround theme on Christmas mornings. If you see something you like, keep passing gifts around the room until everyone has the perfect gift for them. My husband had the right idea, he would admire the pretty package wrappings and then set the boxes aside unopened knowing that whatever was inside was more than he needed. We would all laugh at him but as he was difficult to buy for, he was probably right. But, take heart, all is not lost as I have discovered over the years that the one gift that never gets passed on is—a check. It saves time in guessing what size and styles the grandkids need and they can do their own shopping. Now if I can just find someone to re-gift that ten gallon hat my amigos sent me from Texas, all will be right with the universe once more. Happy shopping!

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Flying South By Katie B. Goode ktbgoode@gmail.com (Ed. Note: This is the first of an ongoing series about the adventures of “Mildred and Suzette.” The author is an award-winning script writer and a newcomer to our pages. Welcome, Katie!) Out of respect for their adopted country, and in order to support the local economy, Mildred and Suzette, friends since the Beatles stormed the U.S., were just finishing their second margarita and commiserating over their inevitable physical decline. Mildred looked down at the wilted roses on her brightly-colored Mexican blouse. “Gravity is a curse,” she said. “Huh?” Suzette asked, wondering if the sky were falling. “Kind of reminds me of birds migrating south,” Mildred said, gazing at an egret on the shimmering lake. Suzette, instantly understanding that Mildred was not talking about the seasonal habits of either the egret or the pied-billed grebe, licked a bit of salt from the rim of her glass. “I used to like my birds.” Mildred nodded, depressed. She motioned to the waiter and tapped her glass for another — for the sake of the economy. “They were a matched set,” she said, almost in tears. “They still are,” Suzette said. “They’ve just got a new parking place.” “They were practical, too,” Mildred said as the waiter removed their empty glasses. “Blouses and dresses and bathing suits wouldn’t have been the same without them.” “Yeah,” Suzette said. “They made spouses smile, babies burp, and summers fun.” “They were a good thing,” Mildred said, re-adjusting her blouse. “Yeah, but you know what they say,” Suzette said. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” “And fall,” Mildred added, feeling more depressed by the minute. “And fall,” Suzette finished. “Then… boom,” Mildred said, pointing downward. “It’s a law of physics,” said Suzette, who was a science major in college and knew these things. “My Grandma Daniels — she had 10 kids — used to think they were a nuisance. When she got tired of wearing what she called her ‘flopper stopper,’ she’d let those birdies fly free.” “What a visual,” Mildred said,

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reminded by a sharp brain pain not to gulp icy drinks. Suzette continued, lost in her favorite memory of her grandmother. “‘Dang things,’ Grandma would say, tossing them—literally tossing them—over her shoulder like a pair of skinny water balloons.” The waiter, a handsome middle-aged charmer named Eduardo, brought fresh drinks and a big smile for the two gringas, who seemed to be feeling much more relaxed than just an hour before and would surely leave a larger tip than the soda sippers at the next table. “I was mesmerized, thinking I’d do that trick when I became a granny,” Suzette continued, undaunted. “Unfortunately, however, since my inheritance was from the less benevolent side of the family, I’m unable to replicate grandma’s finest trick.” “What a shame,” Mildred said, promising to limit her friend to one drink next time. Suzette smiled, the cloud formation over the distant mountains reminding her of an army of Amazon women. “Nonetheless,” she said, “I make bets with myself when they’ll make it to my belly button.” Mildred sighed. Her friend had a point. “I know what you mean. Once in awhile I glimpse myself in the mirror. It’s like omigod, didn’t I see me in one of those old National Geographics!?” Suzette leaned in and whispered. “I have a theory why this happens, you know.” Mildred cocked her head, intrigued. Suzette paused, her eyes narrowing into slits. “Mammograms.” “Mammograms?” Mildred asked, putting her glass down too hard on the table and absentmindedly mopping her spill with the tip of Suzette’s shawl. Suzette nodded with author-

ity. “Mammograms are important. Mammograms save lives. But…” Mildred winced, getting it. “But… think of a lump of clay squeeeeeezed the thickness of a pancake in a steel vise,” she said pantomiming the painful process. “Exactly!” Suzette said, looking around to make sure no one was listening. “I’ve found the solution though.” “No!” “Yes!” “What?” “It’s a secret.” “Right…” Suzette leaned close to Mildred. “Men-o-grams!” “What?” “Mammograms for men — but different!” “Huh?” “Suzette looked proud of herself, the sage instructing her grasshopper student. “It’s simple. Step one. Pick the body part that needs regular screening.” Mildred looked confused. “Use your imagination,” Suzette said, rolling her eyes toward Eduardo. Mildred’s jaw dropped. “You mean…” Suzette continued, a little too

gleefully. “Step two. Place the body part in the vise. Step three. Activate.” “Isn’t there an easier way?” Mildred said, always the compassionate one. Suzette was turning into someone Mildred didn’t know. “Step four. Ignore his screams,” Suzette said, almost manically. “After all, it’s for his own good’ — as if you haven’t heard that a million times.” Mildred inhaled sharply. Suzette’s smile was diabolical. “Step five. Fix yourself a margarita and wait. Mark my words… within months, a prestigious lab of male researchers will announce a miraculous medical breakthrough! And voila! Women will get a painless and unvise-like way to detect mammary malfunctions.” Mildred ran her finger around the rim of her glass as she considered the possibility. Suzette went in for the kill. “And we’ll stay perky a whole lot longer, too.” Mildred shot upwards like a Mexican firecracker, raising her glass to the sky. “To menograms!” “To menograms,” Suzette said, clinking her glass with Mildred’s and feeling very scientific indeed.

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WORDPLAY

he Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are the winners: 1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time. 2. Ignoranus: A person who’s both stupid and an asshole. 3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with. 4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly. 5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people

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that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, u n f o r t u n a t e l y, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. 6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid. 7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spraypainted very, very high 8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it. 9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

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THE STUFF OF DREAMS A Novel by Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez Weeb Publishers 241 pages $15.95 US Reviewed by Jim Tuck (Review first published in The Guadalajara Reporter)

ne never ceases to be amazed by the versatility of novelist/film director/screenwriter/magazine editor/cultural commentator Alejandro Grattan. This quality is even more remarkable since a main current running through several of his early novels/films is the interaction of three cultures: Anglo, Mexican-American and Mexican. Yet one never gets the impression of a writer in a rut. He may be consistent in his choice of theme but is dazzlingly multi-faceted in both narrative and philosophical emphasis. The Stuff of Dreams is a story of two Irish-Mexican brothers involved in an intrigue involving Mexico’s archeological treasures. On first reading you get the feeling that you’re back in the noir world of Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain. As you read of a prostitute “whose body was on a short-term lease,” you could be in the pages of Double Indemnity or Mildred Pierce. Yet it would be unjust to confine Grattan to the corral of such literary mustangs as Cain and Chandler. Enormously talented though they were, these adepts of the Southern California School of Hard-boiled Fiction lacked an ideological and moral dimension to their spare, tough-guy prose. That attribute is shared by Grattan and a 20th century French writer who mingled realism and idealism with the virtuosity of Brillat-Savarin preparing his latest culinary gem. I refer to Albert Camus. While some may consider it a stretch to envision a link between hard-boiled realists such as Chandler and Cain and an author whose wartime writings caused him to be hailed as “the conscience of the French Resistance,” it was Camus himself who acknowledged his debt to the bards of the 1930s-style roman noir. Camus always pitted his ethical vision against philosophical absurdism, which he equated with moral indifference. In discussing his best-known work, The

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Stranger, Camus made no secret of how he had been influenced by Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice and Chandler’s Farewell My Lovely. In The Stranger, Camus’ unforgettable creation is an alienated man officially sentenced to death for killing an Arab but actually because the jury is repelled by the man’s failure to weep at his mother’s funeral. But back to Grattan-Dominguez. Few people are harder cases than “Frank” and “Danny,” the Irish-Mexican O’Malley brothers. (Grattan’s keen insights are possibly shaped because he shares their ethnic background.) Frank, a once-successful film director, is a classic victim of the “you’re-only-as-good-as-your-last-film” syndrome. When a Hollywood deal goes sour, he teams up with Danny, from whom he has long been estranged. If Frank is a has-been, Danny is an embittered “never-waser” desperately anxious to free himself from this unenviable status. While I won’t invade the author’s space by revealing too much of the fascinating plot, you’ll encounter characters that won’t easily come unstuck from your consciousness: a redneck Borgia named “Wade Wilson,” “Professor Mondragon,” a Moriarty-ish figure every bit as sinister as Conan Doyle’s creation, “Topolobompo,”

a scheming pseudo-cop with the appearance of a crow and the instincts of a vulture and “Calvin Carter,” a booze-and-drug ridden idiot savant who often comes up with an ingenious solution to the most difficult problems. The novel’s crowning point comes when Grattan doffs his Cain-Chandler hat and dons the chapeau de Camus. The brothers, after developing a deep affection for the people, as well as a great respect for the cultural heritage of the country they came to pillage, make the costliest sacrifice of their

entire lives—a decision which in a whimsical twist of fate, leads to the realization of their fondest dreams. With this adroit maneuver, the author transcends the slagheap world of Cain and Chandler and brings his oeuvre into line with Camus’ guiding principle of combining riveting action with strict adherence to moral principles. (The novel has recently gone into another printing and can be ordered by e-mailing grattan@ prodigy.net.mx or by calling 7653634.)

Saw you in the Ojo

“UNHOLY” SPIRIT his true false-self enamored, groomed, handsomely shaped; speaking in sweeping statements, heard only inside a closed mind. mirror-faceted presence, devoid of innocence; insuring all shreds of truth spill out, discarded in the misty gloom of emptiness. ever stepping backward, each pace measured in short sure clips, their sound resounding off veiled, barren walls containing nothing. each thought measured by internal mentors, interrupting all incoming understanding,

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while reflecting outward mind-dulling, syllogistic rhetoric. all performed with a flourish, to moans escaping from the upturned mouths of those held captive in the spell — forced to dwell day by day therein. Rob Mohr

Saw you in the Ojo

Phone: (376) 766-4774 Cell. 045 331-171-1681 Email: kdavis987@gmail.com Events are listed by date, like a calendar: past events, then those planned for the future. Some organizations offer multiple events or dates, and these items appear toward the end of the column. In October James Tipton, local poet, was honored at the home of Peter and Beverly Denton at a chili dinner. Peter has become famous for his South African chili. Bev Denton presented Jim with a painting she recently created of “Lady Godiva” which appears on Jim’s recent book of poetry All the Horses of Heaven. Jim also read some of his poetry to the delight of the assembled guests. In November, CASA, the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic, enjoyed the smell of pumpkin desserts and chicken main dishes. In category A, Chicken main dishes, Jim Tipton with Bev Denton and Wayne Palfrey won 1st place for “Lady Godiva” his unusual Chicken with Blueberry Glaze. Phil Posner won 2nd place with his Almond Chicken with Salsa, and Chicken and Dumplings won 3rd place; People’s Choice went to Cheryl Davis. Joe DeLeon was three times a winner when he took 1st place for his Pumpkin Cheesecake with Chocolate and Nuts, People’s Choice, and his BING. The BING is awarded when cooks win three 1st place awards during the year. Mary Wingrove won 2nd place for her Impossible Pumpkin Pie with Cream Cheese Icing. Joan Ray won 3rd place for her Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake with Cinnamon CASA winners: Joan Ray, Mary Cream, and tied for People’s Choice Wingrave and Joe DeLeon with Joe DeLeon in the dessert category. All who are interested are encouraged to call Patrick Winn at 766-4842. He can also be reached by email at patriciowinn@hotmail.com. He would be delighted to invite you to a CASA meeting as his guest. In December the ASA, Art Society of Ajijic, was featured at the old Train Station in Chapala and runs through January 6. The train station is officially called Centro Cultural Gonzáles Gallo, and the show is Los Colores de México. They are beautifully displayed. See if you can catch this while it is still available. At the December meeting Flower Market by Gloria Coronado of the British Society, Dr. Charlene Schultz, co-founder of the shown by ASA

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Lakeside Laughter Club, presented The Experience in the Healing Power of Laughter – An Introduction to Laughter Yoga. A new ambassador for Britain has been appointed to Mexico, Mrs. Judith Anne Margaret MacGregor whose recent postings have been 2007 – 2009 FCO, Director Migration, and 2004 – 2007 Bratislava, HM Ambassador. There will be no meeting held in January but the group will meet again the 6th of February. In early December at the Ajijic Cultural Center, Jay Koppelman Ceri Dando gives an award to Dr. photographs were offered, along Charlene Schultz with wine and nibbles. Jay’s photos have appeared in numerous publications and have won international photography awards. Jay was recently chosen to contribute to a book of the 125 best photos of Mexico, entitled El Mexico de los Mexicanos, selected out of more than 28,000 photographers from around the world who submitted their work. He was also selected to appear in La Familia, the newly released Mexican photography book published by the Jalisco Camara de Comercio. Los Cantantes del Lago celebrated the Christmas season at the Auditorio de la Ribera in La Floresta, Ajijic. Featured was Vivaldi’s Gloria, accompanied by five soloists, plus a selection of traditional favorites, including The Carol of the Bells, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, and Go Tell It on the Mountain. Bill Vincent, tenor, both sang and played guitar to a piece he wrote called Praise to the King. It, along with the other program items, brought the audience to their feet. Timothy G. Ruff Welch directed with Eleanor Stromberg on piano and harpsichord. This year the choir of 66 Ajijic Capilla by Jay Koppelman people sang with several members of the Orquestra Filarmόnica de Jalisco. Coming events for Los Cantantes include the popular Robbie Burns Supper on January 25 at St. Andrew’s Church, The Valentine’s Day concert on February 14, also at St. Andrew’s, and the Spring 2010 concert on March 20 – 21. January 28 at 10:30 a.m. A Gourmet Extravaganza will be hosted at El Bar Co, La Propela Restaurant Lounge and Grill by renowned Lakeside Chef Alex Sgroi. A cooking class starts at 10:30 a.m. followed by a 3-course meal, featuring Beef Bourgogne, ending with a fresh seasonal Fruit Tart, and accompanied by local entertainment. A silent auction will be held. Topping the list at the auction will be a diamond engagement ring valued at $10,000 USD with Certification. The owner will donate anyChildren at Villa Infantil thing over $5,000 to the Villa Infantil de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San José. Tickets are priced at $350 pesos and are available at Cocina San Andres on the corner of Constitution and Javier Mina/Miguel Blanco in Ajijic. Tickets are limited. On January 28 from 11 – 1 there will be a book signing for Bill Fraser’s 2nd book on poems, called Agave Blood. The event will be held at the Casa Del Sol B&B on Javier Mina in Ajijic. Coffee and pastries will be available. Bill Frayer’s poems The authors of Agave Marias will also be present.

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l Leon del Norte, better known as Pancho Villa, was a lusty, hard riding, hard fighting, uneducated peasant. He was also cunning, charismatic and courageous. John J. (Black Jack) Pershing was a highly intelligent, well-educated graduate of West Point and a cavalry leader now commanding the 8th Army at Fort Bliss, Texas. Both men were expert tacticians and skilled at guerilla fighting. The two had met on a friendly basis at border conferences but they never came face to face in battle. That is not to say that Pershing didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try. It all began in the pre-dawn darkness of March 9, 1916, when some 600 Mexican guerrillas, allegedly commanded by Villa, attacked the U.S.

border town of Columbus, New Mexico. A few hours later, the raiders had been repelled but the center of Columbus was a smoking ruin dotted with the corpses of seventy or more guerillas, seven American soldiers and eleven civilians. Word of the attack flashed around the world by telegraph and U.S. newspaper headlines clamored for revenge. In the civil war that raged among the rebel generals after they succeeded in ousting Diaz and Huerta, Washington had recognized Venustiano Carranza as de facto President. Otherwise, little attention had been paid to the petty skirmishes going on south of the border. All eyes were on the ever-escalating conflict in Europe where, that very day, the Germans had launched their first air attack on Great Britain. The raid certainly got Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention. Within days, Camp Furlong, the Columbus military outpost, seethed with unwonted activity as fresh troops and

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supplies arrived by train and the U.S. Army prepared to pursue Villa into Mexico. The expedition had the fervent blessing of President Carranza, who had had no luck in cornering his erstwhile ally and was kept too busy

by Zapata in the south to give Villa much attention anyway. In fact, some historians believe that Villa never led, or even ordered, a raid on American soil and that, if he had, he would never have chosen Columbus. Why? First, Columbus was a sleepy border town with little in money or goods to steal. Why bother? Second, a local hardware merchant had been secretly providing Villa with arms

and ammunition for some time. Why risk severing such a valuable connection? Third, the raid was poorly planned, badly executed and carried out by an untrained and poorly armed army consisting mostly of boys from 12 to 16. Does that sound like the masterful tactician known as Pancho Villa? Finally, why attack the one place

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NEWS Canadians welcome new lifetime income guarantee option Canada. Effective in 2010, Canadians will have access to a new option for the type of income they can receive from their registered investments (RRSP, TFSA and RRIF accounts), as well as from their cash accounts (nonregistered investments). The plan is available to all Canadians, working or retired. They can now elect to have an income guaranteed for life at a predetermined amount no matter how their portfolio performs. The Guaranteed Income level will vary depending upon their age. For example, someone aged 75 with $500,000 would receive an annual guaranteed income of $30,000 for life. Retirement income for Canadians comes from many sources, including government plans (CPP and OAS), company pensions, and from investments. With two devastating market meltdowns since year 2000, the ability to ensure that their savings lasts for their lifetime has been an elusive goal for retirees and this new option is welcome news for many. With this new plan, income will not decrease no matter how their portfolio performs, providing retirees with protection against the risks of market returns and volatility.

Canadians need crash insurance of another kind… This is particularly important today considering that market experts continue to warn of a pending market meltdown that will make 1929 look mild. They warn that the current recovery is misleading investors into thinking the worse is over. It is not. In fact, a prolonged period (10-15 years) of a severe recession beginning as early as 2010 is forecast. Most investors have come to realize that their expectations for market performance must be lowered for the future. The question is, how bad will it be? Economists point to the market collapse in Japan and say that example is what Canadians, Americans and other developed world economies have in store. Japan has lost 80

percent of its market value from its peak 20 years ago. Imagine what it would mean for you to lose 80% of your portfolio’s value at age 65 and to see it still down 80% 20 years later. This new Income Guarantee program will protect retirees from the devastation of such a scenario. And, this new Guaranteed Income plan allows investors to name beneficiaries to inherit their investment residual upon their death. It even bypasses probate. Another unique feature will be the guaranteed “Minimum Income Increase” which will be credited where the investor defers taking an income. This happens even if market value of the portfolio declines while you defer! If the plan was opened at age 70 and withdrawals started at age 75, the guaranteed income would be a minimum of $37,950. It may be more. For someone who opened a plan at age 50 and waited to age 65 to start withdrawals, their guaranteed minimum would be $50,284 per year. It may be more. The increase on a Deferred Income Plan is guaranteed, and in addition, if the portfolio grows more than the bonus, the account is credited with the higher market value at regular intervals which further increases income.

The guaranteed income continues even if the portfolio value drops to zero. Canadian Actuaries have determined that this new income guaranteed option is the best available to Canadians anywhere. The Income Guarantee Level is set at a minimum level for life, and can increase if the market outperforms. If markets decline as forecasted, the guaranteed income continues even if the portfolio value drops to zero. Admittedly, the plan is not suitable for more aggressive investors who want to strive for higher returns and feel they can outperform the market. The type of Canadian who would benefit from this new plan includes:

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• • •

• •

Those who are not happy with their current portfolio performance; Investors holding bonds or GIC’s; Business owners and professionals who are incorporated (excellent opportunities available); Investors who are not yet retired and want to see steady compounding growth; Retirees worried about how long their money will last.

TioCorp Inc., Canadians in Mexico Division, has been running a series of presentations in key centres since 2007 describing the predicted market downturn, and now is providing education about how this new Guaranteed Income option works. Presentations can be arranged for community groups anywhere in Mexico. For more information, or to attend one of their presentations, call (376) 766-4828 or contact them through their website www.tiocorpinc.com

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At TioCorp Insurance, we understand that there is more to insurance than selling the policy… we believe people matter most. Our service commitment means working with our customers and offering responsive and knowledgeable service beyond the sale. It means providing fast quotations; it means assisting with fast and fair claims handling; it means providing the best, most cost-effective coverage. To meet those objectives, TioCorp Insurance has recently signed contracts with the most progressive international health, home and auto insurers available at Lakeside. We are growing. We are ready to grow faster.

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We are looking for a talented entrepreneurial minded individual to develop their own clients and help service existing clients on a commission basis. You will benefit from working with a company experiencing steady growth and committed to being Lakeside’s most professional and largest insurance provider. This would be ideal for a retiree who wishes to be busy and meet people, while developing a supplemental income. Skill Requirements To be successful in this business, you should • Speak English as a first language; Spanish is not essential. • Be computer competent including skills in Microsoft Office. • Have experience in sales, management and/or a solid business background If you feel that this entrepreneurial opportunity is right for you please contact us! We recommend you check out our website at www. tiocorpinc.com TioCorp Insurance, Ajijic 766-3974

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Foreigners save 30% on car insurance Mexico. TioCorp Insurance has announced that they have signed a contract with RSA (Royal Sun Alliance), one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading insurance groups, offering coverage for foreign plated vehicles in Mexico. Coverage for Mexico plated cars is also available. RSA operates in 130 countries around the world, providing insurance to over 20 million customers. They are committed to being the low-cost provider in Mexico and are launching at Lakeside through TioCorp Insurance. Savings will vary of course, depending upon your current provider and the quality of the policy you have in place. However, clients have already experienced savings of up to 30% when compared to the leading Lakeside providers. In addition to providing savings

on the insurance policy itself, TioCorp does not charge a policy fee and includes legal coverage at no cost on all of their automobile policies. Many clients are surprised to learn that they have been paying these charges unnecessarily. TioCorp Insurance is growing rapidly to become the supplier of choice for the expat community, and has launched a website so that clients can get an online quotation. Additional discounts are available for multiple policy households, including home insurance. For more information on health, travel, home and auto insurance, clients are invited to visit their offices at the Interlago Plaza in Ajijic, or call (376) 766-3974. Their website is www.tiocorpinc.com

Health coverage frustration is over Mexico. Expats have been frustrated over the years with the quality of products and service available to them for private health coverage at Lakeside. Finding the right coverage has been difficult. There is no question that agencies and agents have been less than satisfactory and in many cases, it indeed has been the agent who is at fault. However, a good deal of the problem stems from the insurance companies themselves. Approval of applications, processing of claims, providing renewalsâ&#x20AC;Ś all of those services are within the control of the insurer. Without their support, agencies cannot provide the level of service clients deserve. TioCorp has taken steps to correct all of those problems. Through negotiations with Bupa, TioCorp Insurance will be the preferred supplier at Lakeside for several plan alternatives depending upon your needs. Established in 1947, Bupa has over ten million customers in more than 190 countries and employs over 52,000 people around the world.

You can select options that include extensive coverage for both inpatient and out-patient treatments, congenital conditions and transplantsâ&#x20AC;Ś virtually anything that you need. With Complete Care you have access to any hospital in the world. Or you could elect to be covered for catastrophic situations only and restrict coverage to North and Latin America. To ensure that the service meets with client expectations, Bupa has provided TioCorp with toll free phone access directly to Bupa so that Underwriting and policies can be issued within 10-15 days in most situations. In many cases, TioCorp can call to verify if you qualify while you are in the TioCorp office. Finally, health coverage frustration is over! For more information on health, travel, home and auto insurance, clients are invited to visit TioCorp offices at the Interlago Plaza in Ajijic, or call (376) 766-3974. Their website is www.tiocorpinc.com

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

along that stretch of border with an American Army Post on its doorstep? The whole affair seems to have been a snarl of plot and counterplot, intrigue and deception by all parties Machiavelli couldn’t have bettered it. One of the civilian scouts for the American troops, Will Johnson, always claimed that the raid was planned and carried out by Carranza’s men. As if to establish his guilt, the raiders carried orders ostensibly issued by Villa, and shouted his name at regular intervals during the battle. It was a clever plan to get rid of their most troublesome and illusive foe by calling down the wrath of the Yankees o n his head. Even Carranza’s gracious permission for entry to his country was so hedged with crippling conditions that several pitched battles were fought against Carrancista forces. One would hardly have expected Villa to confess to the outrage but why, if he was truly innocent, did he neither confirm nor deny the accusation? According to some historians, he did claim

innocence long after it mattered. Quite probably, the cunning Villa simply decided to turn the tables on Carranza. By tacitly accepting the responsibility for what was essentially a daredevil poke in the eye of the hated and feared Americans, he made himself even more of a hero to his people than he already was. In addition, after two recent defeats where h i s army suffered high casualties, Villa needed men and recruits were slow in coming forward. The raid changed that. Led by General Pershing, who later commanded the Allied forces of World War I, the expedition crossed the border on March 16, 1916. The search for Villa would ultimately lead American troops some 400 miles into Mexico, as far south as the city of Parral where, after a skirmish, they turned back to bases in northern Mexico. For 11 months, the 10,000 soldiers of Pershing’s Punitive Expedition endured parching heat and bone-chilling cold as they ranged the wild deserts a n d mountains of the vast state of Chihuahua, tracking the “Villista” raiders. The Punitive Expedition was the last

true cavalry action mounted by the U.S. Army, and, ironically, was also the first U.S. military operation to employ mechanized vehicles. In what would prove to be a preparation for World War I, Pershing experimented in Mexico with the use of automobiles, trucks, and airplanes, though fuel for those new-fangled machines often had to be brought across treacherous desert sand and uncharted mountains by mules. The experiment was hardly a triumph for American industry. Trucks and autos bogged down in the omnipresent sand or mud, engines seized up from overheating and the aircraft could not fly high enough to cross the mountains and routinely crashed on landing. The only unqualified successes were the new lightweight, portable Benet machine guns. Despite their bone breaking recoil, they proved highly efficient in mowing down enemy charges. Pershing succeeded in capturing or killing m o s t o f

Villa’s generals and dispersing the Mexican forces that had attacked Columbus, but his chief objective, El Leon del Norte, always eluded him. In February, 1917, after eleven months in the field, the Punitive Expedition returned to Columbus and Camp Furlong, admitting failure. There, the General and his troops, toughened by the rigorous march through Chihuahua, boarded trains that would carry them to the waiting transatlantic ships and on to new battles in Europe. The military post at Camp Furlong was closed in 1926, and the extensive cactus gardens of Pancho Villa State Park now cover its site. Ironic that this monument, which someone remarked was like New York City’s dedicating a monument to Osama Bin Laden, commemorates an event that never actually happened. Several buildings dating from the time of Villa’s raid still stand in Columbus, including the adobe Hoover Hotel, the restored Columbus railroad depot, and the old U.S. Customs Service building. The customs house, built in 1902, is now the Pancho Villa State Park visitor center, with exhibits describing the histories of Pancho Villa, the Columbus raid of 1916, and Pershing’s Punitive Expedition.

Saw you in the Ojo

Writers of Agave Marias (plus Gloria Palazzo and Amelia Stevens – back right) Lakeside School for the Deaf sets March 11 for their Black and White Ball: One Thousand and One Nights. This year will feature an exotic Arabian theme at Villa Encantada Eventos in Chapala. Tickets in mid-January for $750 pesos per person. Contact Jim Lloyd at 766 – 3070. Casa Popular Mexicana presented a donation of $25,000 pesos to School for the Deaf at a ceremony at the school in Jocotepec to provide Audiology Services Certificates of Appreciation and Speech Therapy and to School for the Deaf provide daily lunches. In the picture awarding certificates of appreciation are Victor Hugo Olmeda, coordinator of the Jocotepec Rotary Club transportation program; Adriana Torres, Casa Popular Jalisco representative; David Serrano Corro, Jocotepec manager; and Michael Campo, President, School for the Deaf Association. The American Legion post #7 schedule for January: Jan 1 – 10 a.m. Rose Bowl Bash Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: 12 – 4 p.m. Legion Grill: best burgers Jan 6 – 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – US Consulate (Note: No more Social Security) Jan 8 – 8:30 a.m. – Trip to the Zoo (Guadalajara) Jan 12 – Bus trip to Colima, Comala, Manzanillo (volcano, history, beach) Jan 21 – 4 p.m. – 10th Annual Chili Cookoff Jan 28 – 3 a.m. Lone Star Christmas Party Jan 29 – 8 a.m. Bus trip to Mezcala (island history, museum, petroglyphs) Lakeside Little Theatre news: Lakeside Little Theatre’s fourth show of the Petroglyphs at Mezcala season is Ronald Harwood’s The Dresser. This wartime drama is directed by Larry King and runs from January 16 – 24, 2010. Tickets go on sale at the Theatre box office January 14. Rehearsals are underway for the big musical, The Boyfriend, a new 1920s musical by Sandy Wilson, directed by Allen McGill. Performances are February 27 – March 9. The LLT replacement for the final play of the season will be Michael Cooney’s Cash On Delivery, a fun-filled farce about a con artist, welfare fraud, and a whole lot of mistaken identity. Bob Coull will direct. Four women and six men are required, and performances are April 3 – 11. For scripts and information, contact Bob Coull at 766 – 2875

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or email bobcoull@hotmail.com. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. and auditions begin at 10 a.m. at the Theatre. Open Auditions. The LLT welcomes everyone interested in acting to attend auditions. The LLT is looking for people to train in lighting, sound, wardrobe, props, make-up, stage managing. Contact Don Chaloner at 766-1975 or email 77dondo@gmail.com. Music Appreciation Society (MAS) Season Tickets for the concert program of 2009 – 2010 are $1000 pesos, $1200 or $1500 pesos for each reserved seat. Playbill for The Dresser The program for the new year: January 14 – Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra: a “Night in Vienna” February 9 – Three Sopranos: opera arias, duos, trios March 23 – Two Guitarists Extraodinaire: Juanito Pazcual and Russian, Grisha Goryachev – classical style See note re taxi service following VIVA listing at the end. January 16 you can pit your wits for Niños Incapacitados at their After Dinner Trivia Night. Niños Incapacitados invites you to a fun, brain-teasing fundraiser. Teams of eight compete in answering multiple-choice questions provided by a professional trivia organization. There are prizes, along with “munchies.” Wine and beer will be available. The bar opens at 7:00 p.m. and the quiz begins at 7:30. Riviera Alta on Lazaro Cardenas in Ajijic is donating the use of its clubhouse for this event. For tickets, at $200 pesos per person, call Kari Higgins at 766-3651, Kathy Dingwall at 766-5829 or Jane Hainsworth at 766-1937. You can reserve a table for eight for a team of friends (choose a team name in advance, if possible) or join an “open” table and help make up a team of eight. Tickets will also be available at LCS from January 4 – 15, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Save the date! On February 18 Niños Incapacitados will wave the Mexican flag to commemorate both the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Niños Incapacitados will host a fundraising dinner dance at The Real de Chapala with the theme WE LOVE MEXICO with mucho red, white and green decorating, a delicious dinner, live music, and both live and silent auctions. Tickets are $450 pesos each and go on sale January 18 at LCS from 10 – 12:30, Monday – Saturday. Dress will be formal to smart casual. Niños Incapacitados is a non-profit volunteer organization that helps low-income Mexican families pay for major medical expenses for children with disabling or lifethreatening illnesses. See www.programaninos.org. Open Circle at LCS on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.: Jan 3 Jim Spivey Jan 10 Barbara Harwood Jan 17 Pat Percival – Satori, Serendipity & Synchronicity Jan 24 Werner Ruzicka Jan 31 Irene Anton Feb 7 Louise Mattos In December Todd Stong talked about Lakeside infrastructure, asking for volunteers to help with various projects. Ajijic’s tap water is clean enough that, if you pour it into a 1.892 liter bottle, stick a clean finger into a bottle of Clorax and then into the water, repeat once more and let sit for 30 minutes, that water is pure enough for drinking purposes. Dr. Stong drank his as he talked. VIVA! La Musica’s schedule. Contact Rosemary Keeling for any of these bus trips (766 – 1801): Jan 9 Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, featuring Renee Fleming and Susan Graham. Jan 16 Carmen by Georges Bizet, featuring Elina Garanca and Mariusz Kwiecen (waiting list only) Feb 6 Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi, featuring Placido Domingo in the title role (waiting list only) May 1 Armida “Live from the Met” in Zacatecas; Renee Fleming appears in the title role. Some seats are still available. The next Viva sponsored event locally will be the Community Fund Raiser “Wink, Wink (Lip Sync)” to take place at the Auditorio on January 15 at 7:30 p.m. plus January 16 at 7:30 and January 17 at 4 p.m. Tickets at LCS January 4 – 15 at $150 pesos (center) or $120 pesos (sides).

Der Rosenkavalier

Saw you in the Ojo

Ask Carolyn By Carolyn Comedo

d. Note: Carolyn has recently retired to Lakeside after a successful career counselling couples in the former Russian state of South Adiaphorous. She has graciously volunteered to answer questions from readers who may find themselves stalled by one or more of life’s many predicaments. She and her husband, Leon, live in Ajijic. Send queries to this publication, care of the Editor.) DEAR CAROLYN: What is it that men and women really want? CONFUSED DEAR CONFUSED: Women want to be cherished, loved, trusted, respected, desired, caressed and adored. Men want sex and beer. DEAR CAROLYN: What is a Ménage à trois? CURIOUS DEAR CURIOUS: Ménage à trois is a French phrase used in the science of climatology. It means, when hell freezes over. DEAR CAROLYN: I am in love but there is a problem. Every time we have sex my girlfriend sells tickets and invites the public in to watch. My question is, must she declare this money as income

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when she does her taxes? DEDUCTION DEAR DEDUCTION: No, she doesn’t have to. Making love is considered a non-profit activity unless, of course, she is also charging you. DEAR CAROLYN: I am a retired undertaker. My father has dementia and my mother is bulimic. They are supported by my sister who works in a brothel. My only brother is a bookie and my nephew is a transvestite who is in prison for impersonating a nun. I am engaged to a woman who sells drugs in a nursing home. In view of the fact that I intend to make this woman my wife and want no secrets between us, should I tell her that my brother-in-law is a Canadian? DISGRACED DEAR DISGRACED: Definitely not! Being related to a Canadian would place an irremovable stain on your entire family’s reputation.

Saw you in the Ojo

Wondrous Wildlife By Vern and Lori Gieger

wildlifemexico@wildtravellers.org

Busy Bees

nother year gone by and as usual we too were very busy. Our education and public awareness projects have been a huge success. Though we are no Longer affiliated with “Lakeside Friends of the Animals” nor receive any financial aid from them; we have partnered up with “Wild Travellers.org”. Although we don’t receive financial support from “Wild Travellers” it has opened many doors that will benefit our cause and we look forward to working with like minded people. Without a doubt we will enlighten more people of the importance of protecting our wildlife and their habitat. This past year’s national science week at the Technological school on the libramiento was bigger and better than ever, approx. 3,500 children attended the event. Our joint projects with Club de Atlas of Guadalajara, and Profepa far exceeded our expectations. Our wildlife protection posters and fliers have been distributed throughout the republic of Mexico. Now we are ready to jump into 2010, with new creative projects and ideas. One reoccurring question we received this past year was about bees. It seems they do like to set up housekeeping in chimneys etc. We are happy to inform everyone that we now have contact with a local bee keeper who speaks English and has the ability to safely relocate a hive. Bees are fascinating creatures and very beneficial. Bees pollinate a large variety of plants; bees are used extensively for commercial pollination of crops and other plants. The value of these pollination services is commonly measured in the billions of dollars. They ensure plants and flowers are pollinated, which in turn provides a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables for human consumption, but it does not stop there, people also consume honey. Honey is

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

the complex substance made when the nectar and sweet deposits from plants and trees are gathered, modified and stored in the honeycomb as a food source for the colony. Worker bees secrete beeswax from glands on their abdomens. They use the wax to build the walls and caps of the comb. Like honey, beeswax is gathered for various purposes. We use beeswax for everything from candles to cosmetics. But it doesn’t stop there bees also collect pollen, in the hive; pollen is used as a protein source during brood-rearing. Excess pollen is collected from the hives and is often eaten as a health supplement. We have all heard of Propolis sometimes called bee glue which is created from resins, balsams and tree saps. Bees use propolis to seal cracks in the hive and to defend against ants by coating the branch from which their nest is suspended to create a sticky moat. Like pollen, propolis is consumed as a health supplement and also used in cosmetics. So as you can see we do reap many benefits from the bee. Like any wild animal, or in this case insect, they will vigorously defend their hive. All honey bees live in colonies where the worker bees will sting intruders as a form of defense, and alarmed bees will release a pheromone that stimulates the attack response in other bees. Despite their ability to deliver a painful sting we need to protect them. Honeybee colonies are dying or disappearing in record numbers, with potentially devastating effects. Just what is causing the dramatic decline of honeybee populations; scientists are still investigating.

CHILD

of the month

By Rich Petersen

Rosario Guadalupe Rodríguez Huizar

his is 8-month old Rosario Guadalupe Rodríguez Huizar in the arms of her mother, María de Jesús. Rosario (or “Chayito” here in Mexico) is the youngest of six children and lives with her mother, father and siblings in Ajijic. Mom is a housewife and Dad works in construction. Little “Chayito” was born without a left eye, as is evident in the photograph taken at the December meeting of Niños Incapacitados, and is being evaluated for a prosthetic eye. This condition is known as anophthalmia. It is very rare and occurs approximately in 1.0 per 10,000 births. The condition can be present at birth or acquired later in life; in “Chayito’s” case she was born lacking her left eye. As to why a child is born without an eye, most studies have concluded that it is from a genetic mutation in vitro, a chromosomal abnormality, or some sort of prenatal environmental factor. Chayito’s family knows of no one else in the family with this condition and her mother cannot recall any type of unusual environmental exposure. Chayito has been evaluated by specialists in Guadalajara and is being fitted for a prosthesis, with placement scheduled for late January or early February. The Guadalajara company has a program for patients who cannot afford the full price of a prosthesis, charging just one-half of the stipulated price. Niños Incapacitados has paid for one half of this and the family is receiving further assistance from the local DIF office. We have also paid for several other necessary studies—EEG and CT scan—plus monthly anticonvulsive medications which she needs to control seizures. There is also the chance that Chayito won’t have much vision in her right eye, and her family is already resigned

to this fact but will do all they can with regard to therapy and further studies. In fact, the little girl is already undergoing therapy at the DIF Chapala facility. Stories like this make it even more important for Niños Incapacitados to continue its work here at Lakeside, and we invite you to join us at our monthly meetings the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the garden area of La Nueva Posada. Each month we present one of the children we are assisting. You can also help by attending our fundraising events during the year, especially on January 16 (Trivia Quiz Night) and our gala dinner-dance on February 18. Look for more information here in El Ojo del Lago.

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When Insults Had Class....

hese glorious insults are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language got boiled down to four letter words, not to mention waving middle fingers. A member of Parliament to Disraeli: ‘Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.’ ‘That depends, Sir,’ said Disraeli, ‘on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.’ ‘He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.’ - Winston Churchill ‘I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.’ - Clarence Darrow ‘He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.’ - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway). ‘Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?’ - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner) ‘Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.’ -Moses Hadas ‘I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.’ - Mark Twain ‘He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.’ - Oscar Wilde I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one.’ George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill ‘Cannot possibly attend first

night, will attend second... if there is one.’ - Winston Churchill, in response. ‘I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.’ -Stephen Bishop ‘He is a self-made man and worships his creator.’ - John Bright ‘I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.’ - Irvin S. Cobb ‘He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others.’- Samuel Johnson ‘He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.’ - Paul Keating ‘There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.’ -Jack E. Leonard ‘He has the attention span of a lightning bolt.’ - Robert Redford ‘He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.’ - Forrest Tucker ‘Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?’ - Mark Twain ‘His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.’ - Mae West ‘Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.’ - Oscar Wilde ‘He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.’ - Billy Wilder ‘I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening but this wasn’t it.’ - Groucho Marx

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

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THIS WORLD of OURS By Bob Harwood bharwoodb@hotmail.com

Copenhagen Hopes And Expectations

file this with the Copenhagen Climate Conference underway and new developments by the hour raise hopes that meaningful action may yet emerge. Obama’s commitments to reduce emissions 17% by 2020, but from 2005 levels, and to attend Copenhagen provided momentum. Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled emissions a health hazard opening the regulation alternative to pressure a dysfunctional Congress to enact legislation. Encouraged by Obama’s initiatives and visit to Beijing, China undertook to reduce the intensity of its 2005 emissions by 40% by 2020. Emissions will grow at a reduced rate as they continue long overdue development. Next, developing giants of the BASIC Group (China, India, Brazil, and South Africa) forged a common stance introducing a new voice of great significance. They stressed that the developed world must make absolute reductions and provide both technologies and financial assistance to help developing countries. Then India committed to cutting the intensity of its emissions by 24% from 2005 levels. Yet another constituency was heard at the Caribbean Commonwealth Conference. Many of its 53 members are low lying or island nations whose existence is threatened by rising sea levels. They called for legally binding climate action and a fund of at least $10 billion annually to assist threatened nations cope with a warming planet. Australia’s Labor Prime Minister Rudd endorsed Kyoto in 2007 as droughts and wildfires ravage his country but his Senate has delayed a carbon trading bill that could become a model for America. Canada did ratify Kyoto but Conservative Prime Minister Harper reneged on taking office and tar sands development in his Alberta heartland raise emissions significantly. Canada’s and America’s undeniably interwoven economies make a good case for a common policy but Canadians want meaningful action now. Under pressure Harper has committed to reductions of 20% but is alone in using 2006 as base year. He has given Canada rogue status at Copenhagen where, to my shame,

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Canada was first to win the Fossil of the Day Award as ‘most obstructionist.’ The European Union points to a future where empires based on parochial national interests are supplanted by genuine, respectful international engagement. And Europe does just that on global warming. Gasoline priced at more than twice North American levels has fostered fuel efficient vehicles and public transit, green power, and a meaningful carbon trading system with reductions measured from Kyoto’s 1990 base year. Emissions per capita are half those of North America and continue to fall. Europe presses the need to recognize the first world’s role in causing this crisis and our much larger responsibility to facilitate and fund its being addressed. Thousands thronged the streets of Europe’s cities calling for reducing emissions even further by 2020 and a current EU Summit is seeking more funds to help poor and developing nations cope. Complex negotiations await at and beyond Copenhagen but for the first time I see cause for optimism. Issues have been clearly defined. Every country has made commitments. What are appropriate action and funding responsibilities for (a) developed (b) developing and (c) poor and threatened countries? What should the base year for measurement be by country including North American late starters. What cap and trade formula is best and how and by whom should offsets and trades be regulated and monitored? How should deforestation and reforestation effects fit into this? With vast differences in populations, meaningful comparisons can only be made on a per capita basis. North America’s emissions are twice those of Europe and four to five times those of China and India. The ball is clearly in our court.

Bob Harwood

UVA’s U VA’s P PEOPLE EOPLE By Kathleen Hurd

e knock on the metal door of an ordinary village home, part of a row of ordinary family homes in San Juan Cosala. José Chavez welcomes us with a huge smile while a sea of heads peers into the crowded entrance. This family is an UVA family. We crowd into the living room. José’s wife Anarita and seven of their eleven children welcome us to the happy relaxed chatter. The family is calm and self confident while we pepper them with questions. Laughter and happy chatter conceal the fact that one or other family member is constantly outside making sure the taco-making business does not slow down. No one is too young to work. Very proudly displayed in a corner of the living room is an ancient computer. The homework machine. “I worked as a farm laborer like my father,” says José. “Although I did well at school, I only completed grade three. My parents needed my income. I planted and harvested corn before I was 10-years-old,” he states. “He worked for 18 years without

not one vacation day,” says Anarita. “I used to watch the folks who came to the farm. Those with the best education had the best jobs and made the most money. Our family motto was—be the best you can be at everything you do—and to me being the best was getting the best education I could find for my children,” José said with a touch of pride. The family operates two successful taco stands in San Juan Cosala. Everyone pitches in. The hours are long (until 1 am) and the work is very labor intensive. Competition is tough. Market share, competitive pricing, quality—daily price juggling. Only the best tacos survive in this unforgiving market. Listening to their business machinations I wonder why there are no aspiring MBA’s in the group. Laura, an industrial design stu-

dent, remembers going to the school at the local orphanage. “It was a good school—very strict,” she says. It is also a fee paying school. Tuition fees strained the family budget and eventually the children could not attend. They then plodded through the local schools. As the oldest child, José junior pioneered the family education effort (He is now a practicing physician on Colón near the Ajijic plaza). José is their role model and the younger children look to him before answering a question. The leap from local schools to university is huge. Far greater than a family with a taco stand can afford. Very few local government scholarships are available. UVA (university and vocational assistance program) and its predecessors have helped three Chavez family members to graduate (Carlos —lawyer, Aldo—engineer, and José junior— medicine). UVA has been serving Lakeside for almost 40 years (originally a Little Chapel Outreach program) Students are monitored on a regular basis and must maintain a GPA of 8.5 each semester. As an independent charity we have no fund raisers and all donations go to the students. For more information contact Sue Torres 766-2932 or Lynn Hanson 766-2660.

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GERIATRIC MEDICINE By J. Manuel Cordova, M. D. Edited by Maria Montenegro mdjmcordova1204@yahoo.com

eriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health care of the elderly. It aims to promote health and to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in older adults. Geriatrics was separated from Internal Medicine Specialty as a distinct entity in the same way that pediatrics is separated from adult medicine. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician. A person in his 40s or 50s may have special health care needs based on environmental exposures, nutrition, genetics, smoking, previous illnesses, etc. Geriatrics differs from adult medicine in many respects. The body of an elderly person is substantially different physiologically from a younger adult. Old age is the de-

cline of the various organ systems in the body. The organ reserves vary from person to person. Smokers, for example, consume their respiratory system reserve earlier in life than a non-smoker. The decline of organ reserves makes the geriatric patient more susceptible to disease than a younger adult. Many people cannot differentiate between disease and aging effects. For example, renal impairment may be a part of aging but renal failure is not. Also urinary incontinence is not part of normal aging, but is a disease that may occur at any age and is frequently treatable. Geriatricians aim to treat the disease and to decrease the effects of aging on the body. Years of training and experience, above and beyond

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

basic medical training, go into recognizing the difference between what is normal aging and what is, in fact, pathological. Functional ability, independence and quality of life issues are also of greater concern to geriatricians than to adult physicians. Treating an elderly person is not like treating a younger adult. Elderly persons sometimes are unable to make decisions concerning themselves. Geriatricians often have to ‘treat’ the caregivers and sometimes, the family, rather than just the elder. Elderly people have specific issues regarding medications. Some elderly people have multiple medical disorders. Some use many herbs and OTCs (over the counter). Some adult physicians may prescribe medications without reviewing other medications used by the elder patient. This ‘polypharmacy’ may result in drug interactions and cause serious adverse reactions. Drugs are excreted mostly by the kidneys or the liver, either of which may be impaired in the elderly. As a result, the medication might need adjustment, either renal (kidneys) or hepatic (liver). This is an extremely important part of the Geriatric Physician´s role in treating the pa-

tient. The so-called ‘Geriatric giants’ are immobility, instability, incontinence and impaired intellect/memory. Health issues in older adults may also include delirium, impaired vision and hearing. Some diseases commonly seen in elderly are rare in younger adults, such as dementia, delirium, falls, etc. This is one reason that non-geriatric specialists may not readily detect certain underlying conditions in the geriatric patient. Care of the aged is very different than younger adult care. The amount of sleep, diet and exercise is extremely important for the aged person and is different for a younger adult. Family members and other care givers sometimes find it hard to understand why the treatment plan is different for the aged patient than for a younger adult. In order to be a Geriatrics Specialist, you must first be trained and licensed as an Internal Medicine Specialist. At least two additional years of education and training in an accredited medical university is required to qualify as a Geriatric Specialist. To get the most out of your ´Golden Years´ be proactive with prevention and wellness.

MY M Y L LUCKY UCKY G GOOD OOD L LUCK UCK K KIT IT By Bill Franklin

ou probably remember when you used to have stock. And a job. Those were the good times, the lucky times. You had it all. But not anymore. Now you’re flat out unlucky and plum out of luck. You’re one of the millions who happens to be an American in an unlucky time. But there is something that’s possible that I bet you never even thought was possible–the end of unluckiness as you’ve known it. Yes, we here at Ending Unluckiness As You’ve Known It will change your luck. And we’ll change your luck not tomorrow but right now, this moment. Can you say the magic words ipso facto? Of course you can. Let’s hear it...ipso facto. Now shout it... Keep on yelling it. Bring it down a bit, yeah that’s better. I can put an end to your unluckiness. Yes I bet you never thought you could be so lucky as to have unluckiness end. But it can end and it will end. All you need is Franklin’s Magic Good Luck Kit, perfectly designed to get you through these troubled, dire times. The first major cause of bad luck is living. Living invites bad luck. That’s because anything can happen. So when anything can happen you need to be able to throw a pinch of salt over a shoulder. So our Lucky Good Luck Kit comes with a bag of salt (sea salt or any salt it doesn’t matter) to pinch and toss just when bad luck strikes. (The sooner you activate the pinch the better as bad luck can get entrenched but en-

trenched bad luck is something even this kit can (if it has to) overcome. The next component of your new affordable kit is a toothpick. Yes there will be a time in your life when you’ll need to knock on wood. Toothpick wood is perfect for this and meets all the knock-onwood specifications. Some people have thought they could just knock on their dashboard in the mistaken believe that burled plastic would bring good luck. Plastic dashboards or burled plastic anything doesn’t work and that the more modest toothpick is perfect and will do the job. I know some of you have been caught without a prayer. So my advice is don’t get caught without a prayer. We make this possible by providing you with a special 8 page 2 by 2 inch prayer book. And the prayer in this prayer book comes absolutely free with your affordable kit purchase. So here’s what you get for your last lucky nickel. You get a bag of salt, a toothpick and a prayer book with an original Franklin type prayer.

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The Ojo Crossword

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Leave now! 5 Swiss mountains 9 Jargon 14 Squeeze 15 Swing 16 Eastern religion 17 Canal 18 Capital of Western Samoa 19 Musical composition 20 South American animal 22 Pea 24 2,000 pounds 25 What grooms need 27 Discount 31 Economics abrv. 32 Gender 34 Container 35 Pepper’s pal 38 Electroencephalograph (abbr.) 40 Tiny island 42 ‘love’ (Italian) 44 Bone 46 Mental sight 47 Shinbone 48 Present 50 Exploiter 51 Maturity 52 Trinitrotoluene 55 Tidy 57 Snout 59 Gestured “hello” 61 Veneration 64 Possessive pronoun 66 American Indian tribe 68 Gem State 71 Capital of Peru 73 River sediment 74 Capital of Japan 75 Flat 76 Run away 77 Hot liquid burn 78 Say its true 79 Fewer

1 Small fish 2 Monte ____ 3 From Asia 4 Not us 5 Wing 6 Make-up type (2 wds.) 7 Traveled over regularly 8 Where actors work 9 Excuse me! 10 Ceremonies of passage 11 African antelope 12 Strange 13 Second day of the wk. 21 Most basic 23 Utilize 26 Fish eggs 28 Reference 29 Superior 30 Make a record of 31 Decorative needle case 33 Roman twelve 35 Devil 36 Friend (Sp.) 37 Earring locales 39 Cocktail drink 41 Indecent language 43 Rodent 45 Bounty hunter payers 49 Teensy 53 North northeast 54 Labored 56 Cutting tool 58 Type of alcohol 60 Use a car 61 Senile 62 Cunnings 63 Painter Richard 65 Winter headgear 67 Defunct football league 68 Possessive pronoun 69 Doctor (slang) 70 Also known as (abbr.) 72 One of these

Feathered Friends By John Keeling

Great-tailed Grackle

he Greattailed Grackle is one of the more common birds along the shores of our lake, particularly near the pier in Ajijic and in the trees along the main street in Chapala. They are noisy. The call is a Photo by Vince Gravel raucous, squeaky whistle which is not exactly a fork of the small limbs at the end pleasant. If you travel between here of a branch, hidden by leaves. The and Mexico City, you will see these nest is a cup constructed of interwobirds everywhere, both in towns and ven grasses and small twigs. Nestin the countryside. ing commences in March and repeat Great-tailed Grackles are siminesting may occur into July. lar looking to the Common Grackle The male with a territory will atknown up north, however they are tempt to keep other males out. Howbigger, and you will notice that the ever, both sexes are far from faithtail is almost as long as the body. ful in their mating habits. The male The male, shown in the photograph, will protect the nests in its territory is jet-black and many of the feathagainst other species which might ers have a blue or purple iridescent want to eat the eggs or the young. sheen which shows up in sunshine. The female will defend the area The female is smaller and has a around its nest. brown head and neck. They are omnivorous, which You will find them along lakes means they will eat almost anything and waterways and irrigated pas– lizards, small snakes, snails, craytures. They prefer areas with clumps fi sh, plants, grains, nuts and fruits, as of mature trees either in towns or well as the eggs and the hatchlings near homesteads. of other birds. Throughout the last century this When you see great-tailed grackspecies has expanded its normal les, watch how proudly they strut! range northward from Mexico into (Ed. Note: John Keeling and his the US. While it used to be uncomwife lead ‘Los Audubonistas del mon in Texas, it is now common Lago’ which is a loose-knit group of there and is found in many states people interested in birds. To receive up to Kansas and even to the Cananotices of events please leave your dian border. The explosive period of e-mail address at www.avesajijic. this expansion occurred in the last com.) 50 years, and has been attributed to growth in the use of irrigation for agriculture. It occurs as a nonmigratory resident from Kansas all the way down through Central and South America as far as Peru. In the breeding season the males will display to females and to other males. The male conspicuously spreads its wings and tail feathers, lifts its beak into the air, quivers and fluffs up the body feathers while making a series of squeaking calls. The mature male selects a few trees as its exclusive territory, and will then attract several females to build nests in his territory. The nests are built half way up taller trees or shrubs, positioned in

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A NEW LEASE—on Life! By Judit Rajhathy, B.A., RNCP, D.Ac.

nterview with Dilia de la Altagracia author of “The End of Diets - Healing Emotional Hunger” What do you mean by ‘emotional hunger’? Emotional hunger is using food to satisfy needs that are not being addressed in healthy ways. The food fix is exhilarating, it seems to alleviate anxiety, loneliness, boredom, the blues. You name an emotion, there is a food that will temporary mitigate it. Why do people yo-yo diet? Short of eating plutonium, most people believe that the weight problem is about food: count calories, eat low-fat, don’t eat carbs. Every year there is THE new way of losing weight. I can attest unequivocally that if you stick to any one diet you will lose weight. But here is the conundrum - if you cope with life via food, i.e., you are an emotional eater, you won’t sustain any diet but for a few weeks. And the scientific fact is: after the diet ends you will weigh more than when you started. The cycle is then repeated. You are ashamed of yourself, you want to lose weight. There is a sexier, new diet that everyone is raving about, scores of compelling before andafter pictures and my God! this IS the solution…and onto another diet you go. Have you had personal weight issues yourself? Yes, after my ex-husband left me I gained 50 pounds, after 10 years of dieting I gained another 40 pounds. From 1993 to 2002 losing weight was my number one priority in life. I went on every major diet,

hired personal trainers and took diet pills. What exactly do you advocate in your book? Stop being seduced by the newest marketing schemes. Own the paradox that all diets work, and yet none is a life-long solution. Releasing the weight entails addressing the root causes and building the emotional muscle that supports healthy living. How is your program different from other weight loss programs? Understanding an issue doesn’t change anything. We must develop the skills that truly eradicate emotional hunger. With that foundation there are many tools available: exercise programs, yoga, meditation, journaling, visualization. It’s about acquiring the proper tools that ensure long term weight loss. The ultimate journey is to self-knowledge which leads to self-advocacy and finally self-love. People with weight issues have tried just about everything. What makes you think “The End of Diets – Healing Emotional Hunger” will succeed over the long haul? Because it is not just another diet - it addresses the root issue of emotional hunger. I lived this life. I drove home after a 4,000 calories, 5-course meal plotting what I would eat once home. When I developed the emotional muscle to deal with the ups and downs of life, I finally lost the weight. A 12-week Healing Emotional Hunger workshop begins January 18th in Ajijic. Please call Change of Pace 766-5800 for further information or email: dilia@fromromancetoresonance.com or rajhathy@ gmail.com (Ed. Note: Judit is the owner of Change of Pace Fitness Center in central Ajijic. She can be reached at 766-5800.)

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Judit Rajhathy

By Judy Baehr 766-2695 jdbaehr@aol.com www.greatgreens.org

Discovery Days at the Farm

oday in the U.S. and elsewhere, schools have edible gardens where kids learn to plant, tend and harvest food. But here in Mexico, kids are rarely that lucky, even in rural areas. That’s why ACÁ has developed a series of programs teaching local schoolchildren from primary school to university the basics about organics and growing food. Every January teachers are invited to bring school groups to the farm for a day of eco activities using the farm’s demonstration models: 1. Making good soil: Kids get to feel the soil (getting hands dirty is always a hit), learn the components of mixing a good natural growing soil, and discover why water filtration is important. 2. Making compost: Organic and inorganic materials are layered like a cake, in a barrel or in a simple pile. 3. Vermiculture: ACÁ worms make compost in trays with a layer of partially composted material on the bottom, then a layer of dry green material or kitchen waste, grass clippings, and on top a handful of fresh edible (for worms) garden waste. This shows the role of worms in creating good soil by aerating the soil and adding their own waste as organic fertilizer. Thus kids learn that even lowly worms have an important role in ecosystems. 4. Poultry Production: Kids get to see how ducks, turkeys, chickens and geese each do their part eating insects, providing fertilizer and even picking weeds. Kids look for eggs, see how eggs hatch into chicks, and learn that animal manure is an important soil nutrient. 5. Small animal production: The Rabbitry demonstrates how to feed, water and care

for animals. 6. Good bugs vs. bad bugs: Kids look for bugs (a natural!) and then Marie and the crew explain which bugs are bad and which bugs help the crops by pollinating or eating other bugs. These activities are geared to teaching that there is a whole miniature world to be discovered by the close observer. 7. Herbs for Companion Planting: Kids look at herbs that are beneficial in attracting good insects, herbs that repel nasty ones, herbs that add taste to food, and others that are medicinal herbs grandmothers used to use to cure everything from a common cold to getting rid of fleas. 8. Growing a plant from seed: Kids get to plant their own seed in paper pots to take home, and also learn to “prick out” seedlings and plant them to take home. They learn what’s happening to regional seed varieties and why preserving heritage seeds is important. 9. Water Conservation: Kids hear about drip irrigation, the importance of saving water, how important the role of water is and how water flowing through arroyos helps clean impurities. 10. Recycling & Re-using materials: Kids learn to recycle paper, re-use pots, use apple crates and strawberry boxes to make square foot patio gardens; use a bit of plastic and wire to build a vertical garden. Here at Lake Chapala, ACÁ’s model farm serves the needs of area kids and school groups as far away as Sonora. If you’d like to contribute, see their website above, where you’ll learn about ACÁ’s mission as well as activities in which you can participate.

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Hearts at Work —A Column by Jim Tipton

“Still alive at the end of the journey.” rney.

ack in the mid-sixties I bought, from Lawrence Ferlinghetti at City Light’s Bookstore in San Francisco, a book by Japan’s most famous poet, Matsuo Basho, titled The Narrow Road to the Far North. Basho begins his travel diary telling us that in the spring of 1689, “Everything about me was bewitched by the travel gods, and my thoughts were no longer mine to control. The spirits of the road beckoned, and I could do no work at all.” His diary recounts his fivemonth journey, on foot, covering thousands of miles, through a still feudal Japan and to the remote provinces of northern Japan. In one of the most popular passages he reminds us that “every day is a journey, and the journey itself home.” At the conclusion of The Nar-

Basho

row Road to the Far North, Basho writes that he indeed arrived home, “still alive at the end of the journey.” That might be the hope of most of us living here at Lakeside…to arrive “home,” “still alive at the end of the journey.” I have also recently been rereading Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying, by

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Ram Dass, author of Be Here Now. Following a near fatal stroke, a massive cerebral hemorrhage with only a ten percent chance of survival, Ram Dass, barely able to speak and now wheeled around by others (“I’ve grown to love my wheelchair….”) realizes that “At nearly seventy, surrounded by people who care for and love me, I’m still learning to be here now.” Age, he discovers, is a time when we are shifting roles, becoming wiser, finding “a happy balance between participation and retreat, remembering that while it is our duty to be of service if possible, it is also important that we prepare for our own journeys into death, through contemplation, quiet time, and deepening knowledge of ourselves.” We begin to find liberation in dependency, “Souls engaged in a sacred exchange of love and care.” Age is also a time to more deeply be ourselves, and not be what the world has always expected us to be. Those words of Emerson I discovered in high school—“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”—are echoed in Ram Dass’s assurance that “the freedom to be inconsistent is one of old age’s greatest blessings.” He reminds himself of that by keeping close this quote by Nadine Stair, an eighty-five-years-old woman: “If I had my life to live over, I’d like to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I’d limber up. I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I’d take more chances. I’d climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I’d eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day

after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments…and if I had it to do over again I’d have more of them. In fact I’d try to have nothing else— just moments, one after another instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had it to do again I’d travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I’d start barefoot earlier in the spring, stay that way later in the fall. I’d go to more dances. I’d ride more merrygo-rounds. I’d pick more daisies. I would live each moment more.” Ram Dass also likes to have at hand that popular poem by Jenny Joseph that begins, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple/ With a red hat.” Jenny announces that she will make up “for the sobriety of my youth,” and wear her slippers out in the rain, and spend her pension on brandy, “And learn to spit.” I have had the pleasure of living a life surrounded by artists and writers, eccentrics for the most part, who refuse easy conventional understandings (and likewise easy conventional relationships). This advice William Saroyan gives to writers is good for all of us: “The most solid advice…for a writer is this, I think: Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive, with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell, and when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.”

Jim Tipton

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Joyful Musings By Joy Birnbach Dunstan, MA, LPC, MAC

Growing Up Again

e all grew up to be how we are for a reason. Some of the reasons are hard-wired biologically. Some of the reasons have to do with environmental and parental influences. The nature vs nurture question has been argued forever, but today I’m going to focus on the nurture side. Through every stage of growth, a child has certain developmental tasks. If the child’s needs are met and the tasks are successfully accomplished, the child grows in a healthy manner. Sadly, sometimes these needs are not met, leaving the child struggling or damaged in ways that stay with him or her for life, or until there is a corrective experience. Many adult behaviors are clues to problems stemming from each of six primary stages of growth. The earliest stage is from birth to six months. The child’s tasks are basic: learning to trust, to get needs met, to be joyful and deserving of their place in the world. If the parent or other caregivers didn’t respond to the infant’s signals, didn’t hold them enough, gave rigid or angry responses, or neglected basic care and protection, we see certain behavior patterns when the child grows up. Clues that an adult has issues left over from Stage One include not trusting others, secretiveness, wanting others to know your needs without asking, feeling numb and unaware of your own needs, believing others’ needs are

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

more important than your own, not wanting to be touched or compulsive touching and sexual acting out. Stage Two is from 6 to 18 months. It is a powerful time when it is important for the child to learn more about trust, learn that it is safe and wonderful to explore, to trust his own senses, to be creative and active. If the parents did not allow protected mobility, criticized or shamed, excessively disciplined or punished, or overly restricted the toddler, we see these clues in the adult: boredom, reluctance to initiate, overactive or overquiet, avoidance of doing things unless you can do them perfectly, compulsive neatness, lack of self-confidence, thinking it is normal not to be safe, supported, and protected. Stage Three, from 18 months to 3 years, is about learning to think and solve problems and to express and handle feelings. Parents can thwart these tasks by using too many don’ts and not enough do’s, getting caught in power struggles, not setting appropriate limits or expectations, and shaming or discounting the child. This creates an adult who is overly rebellious, egocentric, needs to be right, bullies, says yes or no too quickly, and intimidates others or is easily intimidated. Stage Four, from 3 to 6 years,

is about identity and power. The tasks of this stage focus on activities that help establish individual identity, learn skills, and figure out role and power relationships with others. If parents didn’t support growth in this stage, we see an adult who demands to be in a position of power or is fearful to use power, defines self by a job or relationship, is driven to succeed, feels inadequate or superior, and expects magical solutions. Stage Five, from 6 to 12 years, is about structure. This includes understanding the usefulness of appropriate rules and developing the values on which rules are based. Parents hinder growth by erratically enforcing rules, insisting on perfection, expecting a child to learn without adequate help or clarity, and overstructuring the child’s time. These behaviors can create adults who are either loners or need to be part of a “gang,” think rules don’t apply to them, need to be #1, don’t trust their own thinking or intuition, and are reluctant to try new things. Stage Six, from 13 to 19 years, focuses on identity, separation, and sexuality. Unhelpful parent behav-

iors during this time include being unresponsive or uncaring, withholding loving touch, responding sexually to the adolescent’s developing sexual maturity, failing to set appropriate limits or allow healthy independence. Adults with issues stemming from this stage may show a preoccupation with sex, appearance, and friends, be unsure of their own values and vulnerable to peer pressure, be overdependent or alienated from family and friends, have problems starting and ending jobs and relationships, and look to others for their definition of self. Maybe you recognize some of these traits in yourself or others. Understanding their origin can increase compassion, and growth can always occur because “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” If you’d like to know more about these ages and stages, you might enjoy reading Growing Up Again: Parenting Ourselves, Parenting Our Children by Connie Dawson and Jean Illsley Clarke. (Editor’s Note: Joy is a practicing psychotherapist in Riberas. She can be contacted at joy@dunstan. org or 765-4988)

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Dream Spinning: Ajijic Writers Conference By Kay Davis

ttention: retirees. Have you had a dream about writing? If you have wanted to write family memoirs, the great novel, short fiction, humor, travel stories, or Mexican history, you will be happy to learn about the Ajijic Writers Conference from January 20-22. Featured are two talented and published speakers, Cai Emmons and Marc Acito. The conference begins with cocktails Wednesday, January 20 at 6 p.m. You will meet the speakers and other attendees. Thursday morning from 9-12, Marc will speak on injecting creativity to boost the impact. After lunch Cai will talk on Finding the Form for essays, articles and others, sometimes an awkward process. Friday morning Cai will start the day with Self Editing, an important function when you want anyone to read what you’ve written, and the afternoon will wrap up with Marc’s guidance on how to turn rejection slips into success. The fee is $1150 pesos,

Cai Emmons

about $90 USD, and that includes lunches, coffee and soft drinks. The conference will be held at beautiful Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta, Ajijic. You may also want to attend the Writers Group at La Nueva Posada on the first and third Fridays of each month at 10 a.m. to meet local writers and to read something you have written for critique. Critiques are aimed at potential improvement in the writing material. Friendships often develop.

ROCK and MORE sponsoring HOPE HOUSE

elive the wonderful days of the 50s, 60s and 70s, listening to songs that defined the Twist, Rock and Roll and disco beats that were our favorites way back when. Remember the big hits of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Carpenters, The Supremes, Elvis Presley, the movie Grease and your favorite bands and singers. The winners of the dance contests will receive attractive prices, but if you are not a dancer, have fun watching your friends performing their moves on the dance floor, listening to a great band and enjoying the Show. You can dress casual or create your own period outfit and participate in the funniest contest of your life. Doors will open at 6.30 PM., LIVE MUSIC AND SHOW starts at 7.30 PM. and snacks are complimentary. Also an Art Exhibit. Participate in the super raffle with more than 150 prizes and taste our special Rock drink. ROCK and MORE will

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

take place Wednesday, JANUARY 27, at La Huerta Ajijic Ballroom located on the Carretera Poniente # 522 in front of Rancho del Oro, just five minutes drive from Ajijic’s Plaza. You will be supporting “HOPE HOUSE,” home for abandoned and abused boys located in Ixtlahuacan. www.casahogarmexico.org. Tickets on sale at: Diane Pearl Boutique in Ajijic, Cinemas del Lago (next to El Torito), Ajijic Wednesday Tianguis and Hope House. Admission $125. For further information or large group reservation, contact Ana Storey at 765 3015 or e-mail ajijic10chapala@ yahoo.com.mx.

SOUNDS

By Peter Rosenberg mexicanseahorse1948@yahoo.com

s I was sitting in my recliner last night, I listened to sounds emanating from throughout the house. They were not coming from the stereo surround sound system or from a CD playing on the intercom but sounded as sweet as any orchestra my wife and I ever heard. A few minutes earlier, oor told the humming of the garage door me that my family had arrived. Now, from the office, I could hear my daughter listening to something on the computer for her college classes. Listening closely, there was the sound of the washer entering a spin cycle and the dryer doing its thing. Sally was in the kitchen washing the pots from dinner while the dishwasher was whirring away cleaning all the plates and glasses. Our sonin-law could be heard taking a hot shower in the guest bathroom while the barely audible sounds of a door slightly creaking from the patio bath all put a smile on my face. Humming, spinning, flushing, creaking, water running, etc. are all sounds that most of us take for granted and that we all never give a second thought. That is, until you do not have them and that is what happened to us. The new school they are building down the street has kept causing the loss of electricity so we were told CFE was putting in larger lines to the transformer. Apparently, when power was reconnected, there was such a strong surge of electricity, it set my com-

pputer ter as well ell as the ssurge rge protec protector on fire, blew out the motors to both our garage door and to our tenantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gate, blew out the pump for the aljibes and the water filtering equipment, burned out part of the electronic chips in the washer, and completely fried some of the dimmer switches inside the house. That all occurred eight days previously and it was only today that everything was returning to normal. We were once again in touch with the outside world. There was no more opening the huge garage door by hand every time we left and returned. The stack of dishes as well as all the pots and pans that had accumulated in the kitchen were disappearing. Clothes that had overflowed the laundry baskets many times over were finally being cleaned and hung up. There would be no more buckets of water from the pool to flush the toilets. And, the prospect of taking a hot shower before going to bed was something we all could barely wait to enjoy. So, all these sounds, that we never pay any attention to, were now music to the ears.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ear Sir: I am very late in responding to the letter printed in your November issue from a Mr. Craig Barnes of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I believe that certain claims and observations in Mr. Barnes’ letter need correcting or at least, in the interest of accuracy, clarified. First: Mr. Barnes stated that “A president [Obama] was elected in a landslide by the whole of our electorate”. While President Obama was elected by a large majority of voters the actual numbers were hardly a landslide. Obama received 69,456,897 votes which is 52.9% of those who voted, a good win but not close to, for example, Reagan over Mondale (1984). A closer look at the numbers shows that despite huge efforts by Democrats to get out the vote only 63% of registered voters actually voted. By comparison with previous years this was a good percentage but it still means that 37% of registered voters did not vote.

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Taking the magnifying glass up a notch and compare that with just how many persons in the USA are eligible to vote? The US Census Bureau estimates that there are 207,643,594 persons eligible to vote (they have deducted felons and non citizens, etc.) When using those numbers, then President Obama received the vote of just 33% of the total electorate. I am not in any way nay saying his victory because as most political scientists will tell you, if you enlarged the electorate in the USA you would be pushing it further left. But calling this “the whole of our electorate” and “a landslide” is at the

very least, an exaggeration. Second: Mr. Barnes bemoans the fact that 100% of Republicans oppose Obama on 100% of the issues and says that since the President is an intelligent person he cannot be wrong on all the issues. Far from being absurd, as he suggests, I believe this is normal in a two party system. It was certainly normal during the Bush years and there is a simple reason for this. The two parties have almost diametrically opposed viewpoints on what is best for the nation. In Great Britain the party out of power is called the “loyal” opposition. They oppose everything the party in power wants to do except on “non partisan” issues. The issues the Obama administration is trying to push through are “partisan” issues and of course it is the role of the GOP to oppose them. Lastly on the Nobel Peace Prize: I would make one correction to Mr. Barnes letter. It was not the Nobel Prize Committee in Stockholm who awarded the Peace Prize to President Obama. It was in fact the Peace Prize Committee in Oslo, Norway, made up of five Norwegian politicians. However since Mr. Barnes wrote his letter President Obama has now accepted the prize and his acceptance

speech was, in the most part, very well received by Republicans. So the 100% negative record against the President was certainly broken on this issue. As Mr. Barnes says, the President is an intelligent person and likely saw through the attempts of five Norwegian politicians to influence the foreign policy of the USA. Perhaps the heaviness of the crown President Obama now wears has brought him a little closer to the views of his predecessor. David Harper Ajijic, Jalisco

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THE FRENCH SOLDIER AND FREEDOM FRIES By Bob Drynan

n the late 18th Century and into the 19th, Napoleon conquered almost the entire European Continent. French soldiers fought bravely and heroically. They were well led. Wellington beat them at Waterloo, just barely. The French soldier and his leaders earned Wellington’s everlasting respect. Napoleon III led France during the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870’s. The Germans of Otto von Bismark and Kaiser Wilhelm I crushed the French Army at Sedan. French soldiers died with courage. They were led by dolts! In World War I, millions of French soldiers died at Verdun, on the Somme, the Marne and other battlefields. They didn’t die with bullet holes in the back! They fought tenaciously from 1914 to 1918, even after our doughboys landed and lent a hand. Even then, it was not only Americans who brought the war to an end. French generals spent French soldiers like they were small change in their pockets! But don’t forget Douglas Haig, commander of the BEF, and his futile expenditure of British youth against fortified German positions. French soldiers fought on. Even when toward the end they mutinied against their callous leaders, in the end they finished facing their enemies. In 1940, Blitzkrieg made a farce of the Maginot Line! French soldiers were not to blame! Their leaders thought no farther than their noses, and French soldiers died by the thousands with their faces pointed toward their enemy. French politicians ran from Paris to a place called Vichy! We have learned to hate DeGaulle,

but he escaped to England and fought back honorably. He tried to erase the shame, not of French soldiers, but of French leaders! And the Resistance was not a myth! They were not all collaborators! After Normandy, French soldiers also died in the liberation of their country! In the winter of 1950 the US Eighth Army collapsed against the Chinese counter-invasion of North Korea with some notable exceptions. The First Marine Division outnumbered more than ten-to-one fought their way out of the Chosin Reservoir. An army officer visited our base in Germany in 1959 to interview soldiers to determine the fundamental flaw in their character that led to the failure in Korea. Ye Gods! That was a failure of leadership! Was our failure in Vietnam a failure of the courage of the American soldier or his leadership on the line? No, it was a failure of senior military leadership and even worse our political leaders! And clearly, it was a failure! French troops have fought alongside of us in many places, not the least significant, Yorktown in Virginia. We would not have become a nation without their presence. They also were with us in Desert Storm. Don’t forget about those who led us until recently. They strutted and exhorted us like heroes when they talked of war. But they had never seen the ‘varmint.’ Some wore uniforms, but avoided the serious side of war. They knew nothing of the human price of war, but they had the effrontery to sneer at the soldiers like Colin Powell, who counseled caution. Don’t look to the soldiers. Look to the leaders, especially as events continue to unfold in the Middle East. I have only served with British and German soldiers during my time in the Army. Still, I had little doubt then, and no greater doubt now, that when called upon, the French soldier is as good a man as the rest of us pretend to be.

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

MEXICAN M EX XICAN D DAYS AYS S By Tony Cohan Reviewed by Harriet Hart

exican Days by Tony Cohan is a self-portrait of the artist as an outsider, a spectator on the sidelines of life. He writes poetically about Mexico, his chosen home for over twenty years. Those who have read On Mexican Time know him as the ex-patriot who left California to find a different, slower paced life south of the border in San Miguel de Allende. Sixteen years later, Cohan acquires a disorder that propels the sufferer to hit the road and leave his ordinary life behind. The “excuse” for Cohan’s travels is an article he’s asked to write about what’s new in Mexico but his reasons for taking this journey are more complex. Readers will identify with one of the themes that run beneath this travel memoir like the underground tunnels of Guanajuato: the negative changes we create in our paradise of choice. When Cohan arrived in San Miguel it was: “site of fiestas and miracles, ecstatic religion and fiery revolt, unearthly beauty and curative air–a place for dreamers and artists.” As the book opens, it has been invaded by a Hollywood film crew where stand-ins for Johnny Depp and Salma Hayek drop into the plaza on ropes and fake gunshots wake residents in the morning. Tourists knock on Cohan’s front door or snap his photo as he strolls down the street. Like Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence, he has helped put his piece of paradise on the tourist map. Cohan flees the film crew to visit Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Mexico City and the Yucatan, but readers simply looking for a guidebook will have to look elsewhere. In Mexican Days they will discover the author’s current obsessions: what makes a man leave home? What is it about Mexico that captures travelers? What holds a marriage together? Throughout the book Cohan asks himself repeatedly why he must be on the move. When he discovers “dissociative fugue, a curious disorder in which one or more episodes of sudden, unexpected and purposeful travel from home occur” he wonders if he is suffering from the condition and speculates that he is traveling to discover his true self: “Border to border, coast to coast,

Mexico offered a boundless canasta of riches; yet I experienced these journeys less as attractions than as encounters with the necessary Other-myself, in new guises, revealed in reflection off the alien surfaces travel provides.” Cohan postulates that writers require contrast and likens himself to other well-known American authors whose creativity was enhanced by their wanderings: “Melville, Edith Wharton, Henry James, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, James Baldwin, and Paul Bowles– full or part-time wanderers or expatriates all. For these writers, being outside often provided the best seat in the house: neither quite here nor there, yet in both places at once.” What does he think is the special appeal of Mexico? Cohan doesn’t own a car; he’s exchanged a life of California driving for “a life on foot, open to the mysteries hidden in slowness.” In Mexico people can reinvent themselves: “you can do things in Mexico you can’t do elsewhere. Artists and architects, fascist and fanatics, ascetics and addicts have long known this. Here you can disappear, adopt a new identity, become who you aren’t – or who you really are.” He calls Mexico our collective unconscious: “Mexico stands in the foreign imagination as a permanently exotic, lawless and untamed antidote to the grey sterility of its northern neighbor, a country riddled with bullet holes and beauty.” HARRIET HART is a former social worker in Canada who now lives in Mexico. She is one of the prime organizers of the Annual Lake Chapala Writers’ Conference. chateaucrow@hotmail.com

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W ONDER W OM EN O FT EX A S WONDER WOMEN OF TEXAS By Fred Mittag

olitical fertility bred three magnificent wonder women in Texas. I was saddened by the death of each of them. Ann Richards was the politician who became governor, and a very good one. She said, “Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.” Molly Ivins was a writer who had intellect, talent, and even with her terminal cancer, insisted on having fun. Molly said, “I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults.” Another Molly quote: “I have been attacked by Rush Limbaugh on the air, an experience somewhat akin to being gummed by a newt. It doesn’t actually hurt, but it leaves you with slimy stuff on your ankle.” My third beloved Texas heroine was Billie Carr, called “The Godmother.” I met her before I knew who she was. It was the ‘92 election and I wanted a Clinton bumper sticker and a few campaign buttons that I could wear and then keep as souvenirs. The Harris County Democrats had a small area on the second floor of a building in Houston. A young man greeted me when I entered. Then I noticed a woman studying me a little bit. “Hey, come here.” I spent an hour with her and ended up with something akin to a political education about how things work inside a political party. That woman was an energized activist. She introduced herself as Billie Carr, but the name didn’t mean a thing to me. It was only later that I learned how privileged I had been to have so

The Late Ann Richards

much of her time. Molly Ivins wrote about Carr after her death “Oh, she was so much fun. Irreverent, and improper, and absolutely fearless. And she had the greatest laugh.” Nobody worked harder for Bill Clinton’s campaigns than Billie Carr. And as only Molly Ivins could describe it: “When President Clinton got himself into that Monica Lewinsky mess, Billie was pissed off at him as only a woman of a certain age can be about men and their stupidity.” Molly continued, “Clinton made the mistake of inviting her to the White House in the middle of that deal. Here it is, a big reception line, everyone duded up, ... and Billie came though that line, looked the president of the United States in the eye and said, low and hard, ‘You dumb son of a bitch.’ Clinton laughed and said, ‘Billie, I knew you were gonna do that.’ Which proves he wasn’t all dumb.” Billie wanted her funeral to be conducted in her political tradition. She asked for a balanced delegation of pall bearers—blacks, browns, gays, and an equal number of women. She requested an open casket “with a sign pasted over my left tit that says: ‘Hi there! My Name Is Billie Carr.’” There were voter registration cards by the guest book. Molly Ivins reported “I haven’t had such a good time at a funeral since Richard Nixon died.” These three women were famed for their quick wit, and they shared a philosophy of “have fun, kick ass and get things done.” They were at home in a Texas ice house drinking beer, or in the halls of state drinking champagne. God love ‘em. FRED MITTAG is a former history teacher from Texas who now specializes in writing articles about politics. freethinker1@mac.com

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

WHAT, ME WORRY JUST BECAUSE

EO’s are now playing miniature golf. * Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama Administration aren’t paying their taxes. * HotWheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM. * Obama met with small businesses to discuss the Stimulus Package: GE, Pfizer and Citigroup. * McDonald’s is selling the 1/4 ouncer. * Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names. * A truckload of Americans got caught sneaking into Mexico. * The most highly-paid job is now jury duty. * People in Africa are donating money to Americans. * Motel Six won’t leave the light on.

Mafi * The Th M fia iis laying l i off ff jjudgd es. And finally ... Congress says they are looking into the Bernard Madoff scandal. Hey, great idea ... the guy who made $50 billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $750 billion disappear.

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FROM MY TROPICAL DECK CHAIR By “Consuelo”

en don’t like me. I know, I know. I shouldn’t say it. Thoughts are things. The Laws of Attraction tell us that what we say goes, but only for the person saying it. So, by openly stating what I have long suspected to be the truth, am I not just inviting the gods and goddesses of abundance to abandon me, and not ever grace me with a new boyfriend, or a third husband? Well, they don’t give bicycles to fish. My friend, that whale watching tour has left the dock. Not only has that boat sailed, but the cavorting whales blowing through their blow holes and shooting straight up in the water, to the unbearable excitement and thrill of everybody, have already cavorted, blown, shot, excited and thrilled every camera-toting passenger. Every camera-toting passenger has bought their commemorative t-shirts, hats, and shot glasses. Sweetie. Darling. You are not on the boat. I have not had a boyfriend in six years. I have not had a date in six years. Oh wait. There was one, a department store Santa Claus in the off season, whom I picked out of the personals. Santa Claus is nice. I extrapolated from his career choice that he would be nice. Oops. After my handsome old preppy boy bad boyfriend in 2003, all I put on my list of requirements for a boyfriend is kindness. Not counting the hidden agenda. Smart, funny, cute... I do not think I ask too much. Do I? Even if I don’t, I still have worst-man-in-the-room syndrome. It is a syndrome I made up, but it is very real. In any given room full of people, half of them men, I will navigate unerringly to the one guy who is a nasty piece of work. As sure as God made little green apples. As sure as frog’s fur. The Santa Claus guy? Dope smoker. I am Presbyterian. I don’t

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

smoke anything. Santa Claus boy was looking to get laid. Not me. I was looking for someone I could love as much as I loved bad Gary. But no. I shouldn’t ask for that. I was addicted to bad Gary. It was love, and not love. So I left the Santa Claus guy at the table. He asked to meet again. “No,” I said. Ok, so that date didn’t work out. Surely there must be someone I could go out with? Nobody asks. Nobody approaches. All the men in my life are friends. Sometimes I imagine that I see fear in men´s eyes when they look at me. I think they suspect that I am far more like the black lab street dog who is starving, and who has broken his teeth from eating rocks than I am like the fluffy white lapdogs that you see chauffeured around Vallarta in shiny silver SUV’s. I think men like the lapdogs type more than the street dog. I mean, I am still cute. Fat, fattish. We can’t all be skeletons. Why would we want to? Someone cool must want to be with me. But who? Whom? I’ve already dismissed and deflected the approaches of the yummy barefoot beach guys. The logistics of dating anyone, when subjected to a cost-benefit analysis, tells me the time and energy is a river of no return. Maybe the men feel this way, too. Maybe I am too much of a joker. Good thing I found Puerto Vallarta. I can live in peace and quiet. Paint my paintings, feel my feelings. I can enjoy men at a distance. A distance is probably a good place for me to be at with men. I offer truth, love and joy. But a man would have to go through my inner black dog of the broken teeth to get to me.

The Olive Trees Of Tzintzuntzan Gnarled stumps of ancient trees posture throughout the monastic atrium like fat robed friars discussing the care of the recently conquered Purepecha. This is the grove of Spanish monks consigned to a mission an ocean away, who simply wrote home for their favorite food, of which there was none in Tzintzuntzan. If they expected jars for their larder they may have been dismayed to receive forty saplings, the first oliveros in this godforsaken land. Nearly 500 years and the shadows have lengthened until they mingle and only splotches of light dapple the atrium. Purepecha on horseback gather to eat and exchange views on the coming election. The twisted, tortured trunks are hollow bark shells and appear to be dead, but look up and witness the miracle of green leaves aspiring to the sun. By Margaret Van Every

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LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE #16-A AJIJIC, JAL, MX WWW.LAKECHAPALASOCIETY.ORG

News

January 2010

From the President On behalf of my colleagues on the LCS Board, I hope all of our members, their families and friends had the happiest of holidays, a good Christmas, and a wonderful New Year’s celebration. The first meeting of the Board of Directors-Elect was held Dec. 16. We had an initial discussion about possible appointees to the seventh Board position, the Director with responsibility for the Wilkes Centre. We also made a solid beginning on the job description of the new Operations Director position, the professional, paid top management post we believe LCS needs. More on both topics on the website and bulletin boards soon. As we begin our term of office, one of the functions we most want to emphasize is communications. One of the Board’s new Standing Committees will be PR/Marketing. This committee, to be chaired by one of our board members and will include the best communications experts from our membership to develop effective communications plans and policies. What we need immediately is three or four volunteers for the communications and public relations functions, both on the Board’s PR/Marketing Committee and in the Operations communications area. One of the first assignments would be the design and production of an LCS brochure. In addition to an overview of our functions and programs, it would carry an invitation to newcomers and first time visitors to drop by so LCS greeters can say hello. Distributed through hospitality establishments – restaurants, hotels and B&Bs – and by real estate agents as part of their area information kits, we think it will significantly increase our profile during the very busy winter season. We also want to make much greater use of the website, mounting detailed descriptions of the many LCS functions, profiles of volunteers, useful area information and much more. We’re seeking several volunteers in order to spread the workload, so it can be a part time function for any one individual. If you have experience in corporate communications, marketing, PR or journalism, we’d really like to hear from you. Any of the talented writers whose work we see in the pages of local publications - including this one – would also be welcomed with open arms. As we said during the election campaign, we plan to put much increased emphasis on recruiting, training and recognizing the contributions of all LCS volunteers. There is a heavy element of communications in all three of those, as anyone who has ever taught will recognize. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these areas please fill out a volunteer form in the Services Office or contact LCS Secretary, Richard Williams at 766-1303 or by email at rgwms009@hotmail. com. --- Howard Feldstein

2010 Membership Renewal

Join or Renew your 2010 LCS membership on the LCS grounds at the Membership Desks located at the Ticket Booth or in the services office daily from 10 to 2. The new membership cards have your picture on them.

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

LCS

News

January 2010

SPANISH PROGRAM NEWS LCS Spanish program coordinators have been working hard to make registration and materials ordering run more smoothly. The coordinators will be at LCS, either in the main office or on the patio with the blue umbrellas, every Friday morning from 10 until noon to answer questions, register students, and sell materials. The volunteers in the office will continue to register students for Rich Peterson’s ever-popular Introductory course, but all other Spanish program business will be handled by the coordinators. Our next term begins on January 11. There is still room in most classes. However, there is only one more Friday left on which to register – Friday, January 8. Please read over the information on the LCS website about our classes before you come to register. This will help speed the process. Payment must be made at the time of registration in pesos. Our next session will begin in early March, so you don’t have to wait too long to get in on the fun. You can reach the coordinators by email at spanishprogram@lakechapalasociety.org.

LCS Learning Seminars The LCS Learning Seminars will will re-start after their holiday hiatus at their usual time, on Tuesday, Jan. 12th at noon, in the Sala. All LCS members are cordially invited to attend and participate in the seminar discussions. The January 12th session will be chaired by Bob Miller and will feature (as a podcast) Prof. Bruce Bruno de Mesquita, who will predict the future of Iran. As a consultant to the CIA and the Dept. of Defense, he believes that he has built an intricate computer model that can predict the outcome of international conflicts with amazing accuracy. Prof. de Mesquita uses mathematical analysis (often correctly) of such messy human events as war, political power shifts, intifada et al. After a crisp explanation of how he does this, he offers predictions on the future of Iran. The January 26th meeting centers on a podcast of Devdutt Pattanaik, noted Indian author, mythology student and consultant. He takes an eye-opening look at the myths of India and the West--and shows how fundamentally different sets of beliefs about God,death & paradise manage to make us consistently misunderstand one another. He also looks at business and modern life through the lens of mythology and how it can help managers harness the power of myth to better understand and perform their jobs. Bob Miller will introduce the podcast discussion. The subject for the January 19th seminar will be announced in the Jan. 16 issue of the Guadalajara Reporter, in the column ”Laguna Chapalac” and will also be posted on the events board (across from the Library entrance) in the LCS grounds. More than 50 Reasons to be an LCS member can be found on our web site www. lakechapalasociety.org under Merchant Discounts! Restaurants; Car care; Beauty; Health aids and other bargains galore!

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LCS

News MONTHLY SCHEDULED EVENTS LCS Board Meeting: 2nd Wednesday at 11:30 • Talking Books Library – Thursday, 10 - 12 Medical • Blood Pressure Check-up - Monday & Friday, 10 - 12 • Hearing Aids - Monday & 2nd & 4th Saturday, 11 - 3 • Optometrist -Thursday, 9:30 - 4 • Skin Cancer Screening - 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 10 - 1 • Next Health Care Week - October 13 - 16 Information Services • BUPA Medical Ins. – Friday, 10:30 - 12:30 • NY Life Insurance – Tuesday & Thursday, 11 - 2 • Becerra Immigration – Friday, 10 - 1 • IMSS - Monday & Tuesday, 10 -1 • Loridan Legal - Tuesday, 10 -12 • U.S. Consular Visit – 1st Wednesday, 11:30 - 2 Lessons • Childrens Art Class - Saturday, 10 - 11 • Country Line Dancing - Tuesday & Thursday, 10 - 11 • Exercise Class - Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9 - 10 • Intermediate Hatha Yoga - Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 2 - 3:30 • Teen Shop Class - Monday, 10 - 1:30, Friday, 2 - 4 Social Activities • Alcoholics Anonymous - Monday & Thursday, 4:30 • Beginner Digital Camera - Wednesday, 12 - 1 • Chess Players - Wednesday, 2 - 5 • Computer Club (Linux) - Monday, 9:30 - 10:30 • Computer Club (MAC) - 1st Monday, 12 - 1:30 • Computer Club (Windows) - Monday, 10:30 - 11:45 • Changing Your Mind - Wednesday, 9:30 - 12 • Creative Writing - Monday, 10:30 - 11:45 • Digital Camera Club - Wednesday, 10:30 - 11:50 • Discussion Group - Wednesday, 12 - 1:30 • Film Aficionados - Thursday, 2 - 4 • Falun Dafa Qi Gong - M12:30-2:30, W3:30-5:30 • Gamblers Anonymous - Wednesday, 3 - 4:30 • Geneology - last Monday, 2 - 4 • Green Group - 1st Tuesday, 3 - 5 • Mah Jongg - Friday, 10 - 2 • Meditation Group - Monday & Friday, 4:45 - 5:45 • Music Jam - Friday 2 -4 • It Is What It Is - Thursday, 12 - 1 • Needlepushers - Tuesday, 10 - 12 • Open Circle - Sunday, 10 - 12 • Scrabble Group - Friday, 12 - 2 • Primative Pottery - Monday & Friday 10 -1 • Tournament Scrabble - Tuesday, 12 - 2 • Quilt Guild - 2nd Tuesday, 10 -12 • Write Your own Story - Monday, 4 - 6 NOTE: Times and offerings are subject to change. Check with the LCS office if you have questions.

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

January 2010

Library NEW Titles Here’s a partial list of new fiction titles recently purchased for or donated to the Neill James Library. As always, we sincerely thank you for your gracious donations and ask that you donate those new title books you pick up at the airport while traveling. Lots of non-fiction is in process and will be on the shelves soon. The Mexico and Local Authors Collections are steadily growing. Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer August Heat by Andrea Camilleri The Other Hand by Chris Cleave The Gate House by Nelson DeMille Buried Bones by Carolyn Haines The Stranger House by Reginald Hill Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper The Genesis Secret by Tom Knox Pyres by Derek Nikitas Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card The Quickie by James Patterson What You Have Left by James Sallis North of Montana by April Smith Streets of Fire by Troy Soos Dunkirk Crescendo by Bodie Thoene Jerusalem Vigil by Bodie Thoene London Refrain by Bodie Thoene Terrorist by John Updike

FILM AFICIONADOS Films & discussion in the Sala at 2PM January 14 - CHILDREN OF GLORY From Hungary comes a stirring film about the Hungarian Revolution loyalty, and a whole lot more. January 28 - THE LEMON TREE From Israel, a film about security, survival, and a moral dilemma. P.S.....to get on the e-mail list about future showings, call Marshall-766-2834

LCS

News

January 2010

Lake Chapala Society Newcomers Seminars The annual Newcomers Seminars continue on Thursday, January 7 with “Legal Issues”. A panel of professionals will discuss such important topics as immigration, customs regulations, deeds, wills and much more. Session begins at 10:30 on the back patio of LCS. Everyone welcome. Nio need to sign-up or be a member. Thursday, January 14 is the “Volunteer Fair”. Local non-profit groups - both charities and for-fun. are invited to set up small displays to inform newcomers and others of their aims and objectives, recruit new members, volunteers - maybe even donations! LCS will provide a table and two chairs for each group at no cost but you must register by Monday, January 11 at (376) 765-5752 or at bmadren@hotmail.com.

SEE THE NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.LAKECHAPALASOCIETY.ORG THERE YOU WILL FIND THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, AN UPDATED NEWSLETTER, A LIST OF NEW BOOKS AND VIDEOS, IMP0RTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND A CURRENT EVENTS CALENDAR

Health Care Week is February 6-12 For the diabetic testing, people should plan to eat a high carbohydrate breakfast (such as pancakes or oatmeal or yogurt & granola, along with toast, fruit, or juice, etc.) TWO hours before your glucose(blood sugar) test. Remember to sign-up in the Services Office if the tests you want require registration. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2010 3:00 MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010 9:00

Hearing Aid Help Hearing Aid Room Osteoporosis Testing * $ Parking Lot of Maskaras Clinic This test is being given in the Maskaras parking lot because the equipment is too large to be accommodated at LCS Diabetic Testing Clinic Room Blood Pressure Blood Pressure / Talking books room

9:30-12:00 10:00-12:00 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010 10:00-12:30 Pneumonia shots * $ Clinic Room WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2010 10:00-12:00 Skin Cancer Screening * Clinic Room THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2010 9:00-2:30 Optometrist Clinic Clinic Room FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2010 10:00-2:00 Blood Pressure Blood Pressure / Talking books room * Advanced sign up necessary $ There is a charge

www.lakechapalasociety.org

Saw you in the Ojo

Service

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

www.tel.chapala.com

DIRECTORY - SARA’S BEAUTY SALON Tel: 766-3518

* ADVERTISING - EL OJO DEL LAGO Tel. 765-3676 - LAKE CHAPALA DIRECTORY Tel. (376) 762-0403

* ANIMAL CLINICS/PET SHOP - ACUARIO REPUBLICA Cell: (045) 333 441 3563 Pag: 63 - ANIMAL CARE Tel: 766-3062 Pag: 69 - DEE’S PET CARE Tel: 762-1646 Pag: 78 - FURRY FRIENDS Tel: 765-5431 Pag: 78 - LAKESIDE SPAY & NEUTER CENTER, A.C. Tel: 766-0821 - PET SHOP Pag: 73 - SALUD ANIMAL Tel: 766-1009 Pag: 79

* ART GALLERIES/HANDCRAFTS - BELVA & ENRIQUE VELAZQUEZ Tel. 766-0162 - CATHY CHALVIGNAC Tel: 766-5381 - DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683 - DOS LUNAS - EL PALOMAR Tel: 01 (33) 3635-5247 - JUAN CARLOS RICO-GARDEN ART Tel: 765-4689 - LAGUNA ARTES PLASTICAS - MEXICAN ART & DECO Cell: 01 (33) 1437-1848 - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: 765-5097

Pag: 79 Pag: 54 Pag: 27 Pag: 33 Pag: 64 Pag: 25 Pag: 26

Pag: 66 Pag: 29

* BEER & LIQUOR STORES - BETO’S WINE & LIQUOR Tel: 766-5420, Cell (045) 333-507-3024 - MODELORAMA Tel: 766-2678, 765-2055

Pag: 80 Pag: 76

* BLINDS AND CURTAINS - HUNTER DOUGLAS Tel: 766-0026

Pag: 21

* BOUTIQUE / CLOTHING STORES Pag: 66

Pag: 67 Pag: 53 Pag: 24

- CROWN AJIJIC

Pag: 37

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

Pag: 10

* CHURCHES

* AUTOMATIC DOORS - LAKE CHAPALA BAPTIST CHURCH Tel: 765-2925 Pag: 70, 79

Pag: 66 Pag: 62

Pag: 38

Pag: 51

* BAKERY Pag: 38

* BEAUTY - AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - HUGO´S NAILS Cell: (045) 33 1175 9632 - JAMES DON SALON Tel: 01 (387) 763 1933 - MARY KAY Tel: 765 7654

- PROFESSIONAL WINDOW WASHING Tel: 765-4507 Pag: 34 - TODO LIMPIO Tel: 766-0395 Pag: 39

* COMMUNICATIONS

Pag: 07

Pag: 23

- BRENDA’S BAKERY BOUTIQUE Tel: 765-2987

Pag: 46 Pag: 52 Pag: 34 Pag: 14 Pag: 60 Pag: 60

* GOLF - ATLAS COUNTRY CLUB Cell: (045) 33-1024-8669

Pag: 65

* HARDWARE STORES

* HEALTH

Pag: 11

- AUDA HAMMETT- Clinical Hypnosis - WEIGHT WATCHERS Tel: 01 800 710 3378 - YOGA OM Tel: 766-0523

Pag: 66 Pag: 57 Pag: 73

Pag: 19

* HEARING AIDS Pag: 15 Pag: 10

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

Pag: 81

* HOTELS / SUITES Pag: 07 Pag: 22 Pag: 62 Pag: 08

* DRY CLEANING/LAUNDRY

- CASA BLANCA Tel: 766-4440 - HOTEL LA CASONA Tel: 01800-700-8877 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, Fax: 766-2049 - MIS AMORES Tels: 766-4640, 4641, 4642 - QUINTA DON JOSE Tel: 01-800-700-2223

Pag: 71 Pag: 65 Pag: 03 Pag: 30 Pag: 12

Pag: 77

* HOME APPLIANCES

* BANK INVESTMENT -O&A Tel: 766-3580 - MULTIVA Tel: 766-2499

- 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 - DRA. ANGELICA ALDANA LEMA DDS Tel. 765-5364 - DRA. DOLORES RUSSELL D.D.S. Tel: 766-2881, 766-0075 Cell: (045) 333-108-7727 - DR. ALBERTO DON OLIVERA Tels: 765-4838, 765-4805 - DR. FRANCISCO CONTRERAS Tel: 765-5757 - DR. HECTOR HARO, DDS. Tel: 765-3193, 765-6974

- DEL MAR Tel: 766-4278

* CLEANING SERVICE

* AUTOMOTIVE - FERNANDO’S Cell: (045) 331-323-6289 - GRUPO OLMESA Tel: 766-3780 - LINEA PROFESIONAL Tel. 766-2555, Fax. 766-0066 - RON YOUNG-MECHANIC Tel: 765-6387

Pag: 20

* DENTISTS

Pag: 34

- AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS Tel: 766 - 4973, Cell: (045) 33-3157- 6536 Pag: 61

Pag: 33

- FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440 Pag: 77

Pag: 36, 79

* CASINO

Pag: 78

- PAPELERIA TRINIDAD Tel: 766-2400

- AJIJIC ART DESIGN Tel: 765-5882 - ARDEN MEXICO Tel: 765-3540 - ARTE AMANECER Tel: 765-2090 - KARVY Tel: 765-6601 - PATIO PLUS - RICARDO FERNANDEZ Tel: 766-5149 - TEMPUR Tel: (52) 333-629-5919, 333-629-5961

Pag: 21

* ASTROLOGY - ASTROLOGY & TAROT Cell: (045) 33 3447 7332

- ACUATECNIA DE OCCIDENTE Tel: 01 (33) 3811-8761, 3812-1288 Pag: 29 - ARCHITECT GERARDO ROMERO MORALES Tel: 766-2594 Pag: 63 - CABO DO MUNDO- INTERIOR DESIGN Tel: 766-0026 Pag: 21, 69 - CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING Tel: 766-3626 Pag: 13 - ELECTRICIAN & PLUMBER Armando Marquez V. Tel: 766-3568 Pag: 78 - HOMESERVICES Tel: 766-1569 Pag: 50 - VSF PAISAJISMO - Landscape Design Tels: (0133) 30 44 03 71, 72 Pag: 67 - ULTRA Tel: 765-3446 Pag: 62 - WARWICK CONSTRUCTION Tel: 765-2224 Cell. (045) 331-135-0763 Pag: 70

* COPY CENTER

Pag: 86

766-1760 765-4444 766-5555

* FURNITURE

* CONSTRUCTION

- CASA DEL SOL Tel: 766-0050 - CASA TRES LEONES Cell: (045) 331-350-6764

- ARATI Tel. 766-0130 - CUGINIS OPUS BOUTIQUE Tel/Fax: 766-1790 - FIAGA BOUTIQUE Tel: 766-1816 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - LEATHER GALLERY Tel: 766-2845 - OXXY2 Tel: 766-2181

066 765-2308, 765-2553 766-3615

Pag: 81

* BED & BREAKFAST Pag: 78

EMERGENCY HOTLINE AMBULANCE - CRUZ ROJA FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICE Ajijic Chapala La Floresta

Pag: 52

- EASYCALL MEXICO Tel: 766-4980 - HANDY MAIL Tel: 766-3813 - MAILBOXES, ETC. Tel: 766-0647, Fax: 766-0775 761-0363, Fax: 761-0364

Pag: 50 Pag: 32

Pag: 18

* COMPUTING SERVICES - AJIJIC COMPUTING Tel: 765-4156 - CAFE INTERNET AJIJIC Tel: 766-3626 - COMPUTERLAND Tel: 765-7595 - NEW WORLD TECHNOLOGY Tel: 766-4343

Pag: 80 Pag: 13 Pag: 74

Pag: 79

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

- CHANGE OF PACE Tel: 766-5614

Pag: 75

* FOOD SERVICES - COCINA SAN ANDRES Tel: 766-5614

- TECNICOS UNIDOS Tel: (376) 765-4266

* INSURANCE - EDGAR CEDEÑO - MEXICO PROTECT Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982 Pag: 30 - LLOYD Tel: 766-0152, 766-358 Pag: 23

* JEWELRY - ALEX Tel: 766-3775 - KAFRÍ DE MÉXICO Tel: 766-4156

Pag: 26 Pag: 73

LEGAL SERVICES - MAGO’S OFFICE Tel: 765-3640

Pag: 28

Pag: 81

Pag: 11

* LIGHTING & DECORATION

Pag: 39

* FUMIGATION/PESTS

* CONSIGNMENT SHOP - ALFREDOS BAZAR Tel: 766-2980 - SUZY’S CONSIGNMENT SHOP Tel: 766-5458

- CANADIANS IN MEXICO Tel: 766-4828 Pag: 44, 45 - INTERCAM Tel: 766-5978 Pag: 21 - LAKESIDE FINANCIAL ADVISOR DAVID LESNICK CFP CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Fax: 001(623) 327-1277 Pag: 37 - LAKESIDE MORTGAGE CONSULTANTS Tel: 766-2914 Pag: 56 - MORTGAGE MONEY Tel: 766-5797 Pag: 80

* FITNESS

Pag: 30 Pag: 29

* FINANCIAL SERVICES

Pag: 28 Pag: 59

- FUMIGA Tel: 762-0078, (045) 33-1155-7059 - FUMI-TECH Tel: 766-1946, Cell. (045) 333-369-3737

- LIGHTING & DESIGN CENTER Tel. 766-3506 Pag: 52 Pag: 78

Pag: 59

* MEAT/POULTRY/CHEESE - TONY’S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069

Pag: 20

Pag: 06

Office Tel. 765-3676 Pag: 54 - CASA MEXICO Tel: 766-4088 Pag: 71 - COLDWELL BANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, 766-3369 Fax: 766-2124, Tels: 765-2877 Fax: 765-3528 Pag: 88 - CHULA VISTA NORTE Tel: 766-2177 Cell: (045) 33-3841-8867 Pag: 61 - CIELO VISTA Tel: 766-4867 Pag: 31 - EL DORADO Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - EAGER Y ASOCIADOS Tel: 766 1917, 1918 Pag: 53 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 1568 9254 Pag: 76 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Cell: (045) 33-3463-5181 Pag: 70 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: (387) 763-1974 Pag: 68 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 473-732-5789 Pag: 16 - GEORGETTE RICHMOND Tel: 766-2129, 766-2077 Pag: 13 - IMPULSA REAL ESTATE Tel: (+52) 669 913 2745 Pag: 35 - LAGUNA VISTA Tel: 766-5740 Pag: 43 - LLOYD REAL ESTATE AJIJIC Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - MICHEL BUREAU Cell. (045) 333-129-3322, Home: (376) 765-2973 Pag: 26 - RIVIERA ALTA Tel: 766-1169 Pag: 55 - TOM AND DIANNE BRITTON Tel. 766-5249 (home) Cell. (045) 33-1298-5722 Pag: 03 - VILLA OLIVIA Tel: 766-1069 Pag: 22

Pag: 18

* RENTALS/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Pag: 16

- COLDWELLBANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, movile: (045) 33-1175-9632 Pag: 72 - FOR RENT Tel: 765-6462 Pag: 22 - FOR RENT Tel: 766-3527 Pag: 80 - RENTAL LOCATERS Tel: 766-5202 Pag: 59 - ROMA Tel: 766-3163 Pag: 18

* MEDICAL SERVICES - BODY SENSE CLINIC - PODIATRIST Tel: 766-6080 Pag: 38 - DERMATOLOGIST Tel: 766-1198, 765-2400 Pag: 75 - DERMIKA Dermatologic Center Dra. Monica Ramos Tel: 766-2500 Pag: 27 - INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST & GERIATRICS Dr. J. Manuel Cordova Tel: 766-2777, 766-5611 Pag: 28 - DRA. MARTHA R. BALLESTEROS FRANCO Cell: (045) 333-408-0951 Pag: 19 - HOSPITAL ANGELES DEL CARMEN Tel: (01) 3813-0042 Pag: 12 - ISILAB Tel: 766-1164 Pag: 33 - MEDICOS ESPECIALISTAS Tel: 766-5357 Pag: 25 - PINTO OPTICAS Tel: 765-7793 Pag: 35 - RED CROSS Tel:765-2308 - SURGERY HOST Tel: 766-3145 Pag: 55

* MIGRATORY DOCUMENTS - AVSA Tel/Fax. 01 (33) 3825-2350

Pag: 62

* MALL - CENTRO LAGUNA Tel: 01 (33) 3560-2670

Pag: 87

* MOVERS - BALDERAS Tel: 01 (33) 3810-4859 - LAKE CHAPALA MOVING Tel: 766-5008 - SEYMI Tel: 01 (33) 3603-0000, 3603-0256 - STROM- WHITE MOVING Tel: 766-4049

Pag: 17

* PAINT - FMC Tel: 766-3596 - PAINTING AND MORE Tel: 766-2343

Pag: 15 Pag: 28

* PERSONAL ASSISTANCE - JUSTUS HAUSER Tel: 763-5333, Fax: 763-5335 Emergencies: 01 (33) 3441-8223 Pag: 05 - NEWCOMERS ILSE HOFFMANN Cell: 33-3157-2541, Ilse40@megared.net.mx www.mexicoadventure.com/chapala/guadalajara.htm Tel: 01 (33) 3647-3912

* PHARMACIES - FARMACIA CRISTINA Tel: 766-1501 - FARMACIA EXPRESS II Tel: 766-0656 - FARMACIA MASKARAS Tel/Fax: 765-5827 - FARMACIA MORELOS Tel: 765-4002 - FARMACIA SAN PAULO Tel: (378) 763-0506 - FARMACIA UNICA Tel: 766-0523

Pag: 75 Pag: 12 Pag: 16 Pag: 77 Pag: 70 Pag: 38

* POOL MAINTENANCE - EQUIPMENT AND POOL MAINTENANCE Tel: 766-1617 Pag: 37

* REAL ESTATE - 1ST CHOICE HOMES LAKESIDE Tel: 765-2484 - AJIJIC HOME INSPECTIONS Tel: 766-2836 - AJIJIC REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-2077, Fax: 766-2331 - ALL IN ONE REAL ESTATE SERVICE Tel: 766-1161 - ALTERNATIVE REALTY Tel: 766-5575 - BEV. & JEAN COFELL Home Tel. 766-5332

Pag: 41 Pag: 11 Pag: 03 Pag: 05 Pag: 20

* REPAIRS/ MAINTENANCE - SERVICIO BELTRÁN Tel: 766-4586, 765-3949 - WATCH & CLOCKS Tel: 765 5190, Cell: (045) 33-1331-9226

Pag: 80

Pag: 30 Pag: 11, 75 Pag: 25 Pag: 57 Pag: 14

- RESPIRO SPA Tel: (045) 33-3157-7790 - SILUET CORPOFACIAL Tel: 766-5867 - TOTAL BODY CARE Tel: 766 3379 - VILLA BORDEAUX Tel: (01-387) 761-0494

Pag: 32 Pag: 17 Pag: 19 Pag: 34

Pag: 25

* THERAPISTS

Pag: 19

Pag: 63

- DRA. MA. LUCÍA VELASCO MEDRANO Physical Rehabilitation Cell: (045) 33-3954-6966 Pag: 70 - PROFESSIONAL REHABILITATION Tel: 766-5563 Pag: 19

Pag: 51

* TOURS

Pag: 36

Pag: 20 Pag: 67

- CHARTER CLUB TOURS Tel: 766-1777 - GRUPO TURQUESA Tel: 766-5435

Pag: 09, 11, 15 Pag: 73

* RETIREMENT/REST/NURSING HOMES * TREE SERVICE - LA CASA NOSTRA Tel: 765-4187, Fax: 765-5815 - THE BLUE HOUSE Tel: 766-1256

Pag: 06

- CHAPALA TREE SERVICE Tel: 762-0602

Pag: 81

Pag: 50

* WATER * SATELLITES/ T.V. - AJIJIC ELECTRONICS S.A. DE C.V. Tel/Fax: 766-1117, 766-3371

- TECNO AQUA Tel: 766-3730, 766-3731

Pag: 15

Pag: 17

* SCHOOLS - CLC Tel: 765-5498 - TANGO LESSONS Tel: 766-5885

Pag: 71 Pag: 69

* SECURITY SYSTEMS / WIRE FENCES - S.O.S.E Tel: 765-4921

Pag: 70

* SELF STORAGE - SELF STORAGE-BODEGAS CHAPALA Tel: 766-0661, Tel/Fax: 766-1045 Pag: 38

* SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS - ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Tel: 766-5961 - EL BAZAR DE LOS NIÑOS Tel: 765-3147 - LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY Tel: 766-1140

Pag: 70 Pag: 81 Pag: 78-81

* SPA / MASSAGE Pag: 80

* RESTAURANTS/CAFES/CLUBS - AJIJIC TANGO Tel: 766-2458 - CAFÉ ADELITA Tel: 766-0097 - CAFETERIA TOSCANA Tel: 765-6996 - CASA DEL WAFFLE Tel: 766-1946 - CHAC-LAN Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326 - CHILI BANG BAR Tel: 766-1919 - COCINA SAN ANDRES Tel: 766-5614 - DAVID’S CAFE Tel: 766-2341 - EL BAR-CO Tel: 766-0452 - EL JARDIN DE NINETTE Cell: (045) 33-1410-4064 - GO LE CLUB Tel: 766-4747 - LA BODEGA Tel: 766-1002 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, 766-2049 - “LA TAVERNA” DEI QUATTRO MORI Tel: 766 2848 - LAS CABALLERIZAS COXALA Tel: 766-0744 - LAS MENINAS Tel: 766-0664 - LOS TELARES Tel: 766-0428 - MANIX

Tel: 766-0061 - MOM´S DELI & RESTAURANT Tel: 765-5719 - NUMBER FOUR Tel: 766-1360 - PAJARO MADRUGADOR - PEDROS GOURMET Tel: 766-4747 - PEPE’S & AURORA’S Cell. (044) 33 1265 7900 - PEPITO’S Tel: 766-2060 - THE GARDEN Tel: 766-1381 - TABARKA Tel: 766-1588 - TOMAS Tel: 765-3897 - TONY’S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069 - YVES’ Tel: 766-1851

Pag: 64 Pag: 52 Pag: 24

- AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - BODY SENSE CLINIC Tel: 766-6080 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - MONTE COXALA Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326

Pag: 52 Pag: 38 Pag: 67 Pag: 49

SAW YOU IN T HE OJO

Pag: 03 Pag: 49 Pag: 27

The Ojo Crossword

Pag: 28 Pag: 79 Pag: 24 Pag: 36 Pag: 14 Pag: 16 Pag: 03 Pag: 39 Pag: 49 Pag: 65 Pag: 61

Saw you in the Ojo

AA- Meets daily at 10:00 am. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm. Marcos Castellanos 51-A. 766-5961. ACÁ- Teaches youths, families sustainable agriculture, Joco and Jaltepec. Meet 14th of month. For more Information 387 763-1568. A COURSE IN MIRACLES- Saturday 2:00 pm 16 Sept #34, Unit 6, 766-4882 No charge. Ongoing. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 904 WING- Meeting 2nd Friday of every month in May, June, July & August. From September to April we meet the 2nd and 4th Friday. Contact Don Slimman 765 4141. AJIJIC QUILT GUILD - Meets second Tuesday monthly. 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. New Posada. Coffee. Meeting followed by lunch at the New Posada. AXIXIC MASONIC LODGE #31- Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact the secretary at 763-5346 for details. AMERICAN LEGION OF CHAPALA POST- #7 General Membership meets 11 am 2nd Thursday. Tel: 765-2259. 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. 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- Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through April. Social hour: 3:00 pm, program 4:00 pm. Visit www.canadianclub-chapala.com. CASA DE ANCIANOS- Provides support for elderly citizens, 765-2497. 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. EASTERN STAR ESTRELLA DEL LAGO CHAPTER #10- 1st Wed. at 1:00 pm at Hotel Monte Carlo. 766-3785, www.oesestrelladellago.org. E.R.I.C.- Provides support for the construction and renovation of educational buildings. 766-2866. GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS- GA Meeting held every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Doctor’s office at the Lake Chapala Society Charlie K. at cell: 331-445-2136. 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 Hannes 765-3094. 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. IRISH SOCIETY OF MEXICO- Meets second Monday 4 pm at La Nueva Posada, Ajijic. Contact Brian Cronin, at 765-5071. 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-Promotes an interest, appreciation and better understanding of botanical subjects. 766-2637. LAKE CHAPALA SHRINE CLUB.- Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1 pm in the Nueva Posada. Perry King at (376) 763-5126. 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 last Monday every month. Contact Ellie McEvoy at 765-2523 or John Marshall at 766-1170. 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 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. LINK- Assisting foreign community. Desk at Lake Chapala Society-Monday, 10 am-noon. 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 376-766-1688, 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 Beverly Denton, 765-6409. MISION SAN PABLO- Helping 60 orphaned children ages 2-14 yrs, 7662551. Beaupaton@yahoo.com. 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. Call Gay at 766-2902. 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 am at Marcos Castellanos 51-A, in Upper Ajijic. Tel: 766-2575 or 766-1626. PROGRAMA PRO NIÑOS INCAPACITADOS DEL LAGO AC.- Assisting Lakeside disabled children www.programaninos.org , 763-5010. 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 2:00 pm at the Sala LCS. New members welcome. ROTARY CLUB OF AJIJIC- Meets every Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Hotel Real de Chapala. Contact at 766-3302. SCIENCE OF MIND STUDY GROUP- Discussion group every Tuesday at 10 AM Lake Chapala Center for Spiritual Living at Nicolas Bravo #17 Ajijic; contact Rev. Tim at 766-0920 or tim@revdoctim.com. THE GENEALOGY FORUM- Meets monthly on the fourth Monday in the Sala at LCS, from 2:00 to 3:45. UVA - University/Vocational Assistance (Little Chapel by the Lake a.c.)- Sue Torres, 766-2932 or Lynn Hanson 766-2660. VILLA INFANTIL ORPHANAGE- Provides financial support for children. 766-3396. www.friendsofvillainfantil.org VIVA LA MUSICA - Bus trips to the symphony, summer concert series, call Rosemay Keeling 766-1801. www.ajijicviva.org. 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 January 2010

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. 766-9020 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) 765-4210. 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) 7652925, 765-3329. www.lakechapalabaptist.com. 7th Day Adventist meet at Madeira 12 in Rancho del Oro, 9:15 am to Noon. Potluck follows. 765-2165. 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. Saint Andrew´s Anglican Church Calle San. Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar, Sunday 2 services, 9 am & 11 am. www.standrewsparish.net. 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. at the Jewish Community Center behind Mateos in Riberas del Pilar (Santa Margarita 113). For additional information call Steve at 766-5507 or email: trudycrippen@earthlink.net. Check out our website at www.lcuuf.org.

CARS

FOR SALE: 2000 Trailer 10’ long 6’7” wide new tires, Ladder rack for top, back door in a pull down ramp and has a side entrance door, trailer weight 1,463 lbs. 2000.00 USD. U.S. tag. Call 376-766-2951 FOR SALE: 1983 CLASSIC MERCEDES 4 DOOR. Air Conditioner, AM/FM Stereo, Automatic Transmission, Leather Interior, Sun Roof, Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Locks, near immaculate condition, Price $7,000. USD, Call: Heinz Stapff @7653587 FOR SALE: Will sell cheap if sold this month had car sold, buyer could not raise cash, will get you USA plates & title in your name, car is loaded and excellent condition. Call: Joe Dean @ 766 0782 FOR SALE: Almost new Thule Sportrack car top carrier - 18 cu. ft. Bought in June 2009 to drive to Mexico, asking 2000 pesos. Call: Brian Way @ 766-1127 FOR SALE: 1991 Mercedes 300TE Station Wa. Perfect Condition Inside and Out. Price $2,400 USD. Call Bert Poirier @ 763-5086 or email bertpoirier@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Cargo Trailer - 5 x 10’ - Capacity: 2500 pounds, brand new spare tire, 2” ballpoint hitch with hitch jack. $2,500 U.S. or Peso equivalent. Call: Peter Dymacek Telephone: 376-766-5577 WANTED: Want address of someone in Guadalajara to replace headliner in car. Mine is falling apart due to heat. Contact: Frank Raimo WANTED: Right rear lamp assembly for 1988 Caravelle. Contact: Frank Raimo FOR SALE: VW Superbeetle 1971 Good motor. Not oilburner. Rebuilt trans. U.S. plates. Price $750, call John @ 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@yahoo.com BEST OFFER FOR: Price includes new USA plates and title in buyers name. Must see to appreciate. Will accept any reasonable offer. Car is well maintained. $3500 USD or best offer. Call: Joe Dean @ 766 0782 FOR SALE: 1997 Pontiac Bonivile. Engine runs good. Mirrors gone. Dings and dents. Needs paint job. Air-conditioner and driver side window motors need fixing. Contact: Heinz Stapff. Price $4000 USD.

ELECTRONICS

WANTED: Printer. New or used Epson 1270/1280 printer in good condition. Contact: Norm Tihor. FOR SALE: New DVD recorder. 387-7610827, $200 pesos FOR SALE: HP Pavillion XE 783, 700 Mhz Intel Celeron Processor, 384 Mb RAM, 30 Gb Hard Drive and rewritable CD drive. Microsoft Windows XP Pro, 3,000 Pesos or best offer. Contact Belle at 765-5773 FOR SALE: Good laptop. Works fine. Legit XP Home; CD/DVD player/burner; swapable 3.5” floppy; Three batteries, will take PC-MCIA Wireless card; 2 USB ports, no screen issues. Contact: David: 376-763-52-48 FOR SALE: new Sony Cybershot. It includes a 1 year guarantee with Sony and is in the original package. 7.2 megapixels, price at best buy 2,700 pesos. I am selling it for 1,900 OBO Contact: Eliza Osher FOR SALE: Wireless Receiver. LagunaNet wireless receiver complete with antenna and cable. Price $200 US. Excellent condition. Contact: Heather Leonard FOR SALE: MapSend Topo Mexico; This works on the eXplorist models. Really never used, See: www.http://www.magellangps.com/ products/map.asp?tab=0&PRODID=1233. Price $550 Contact: David Unlisted @ 376-763-52-48 FOR SALE: Portable Radio Complete with built-in generator carrying case and manual. Price: $30. Call: John Whiley @ 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@yahoo.com FOR SALE: Electric Organ/Piano. As new with adjustable chair and manual. Price $295 Call: John @ 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@ yahoo.com

PETS & SUPPLIES

NEEDS A HOME: Rottweiller - rescue animal. 762-1646 (Local call lakeside)

NEED TO FIND HOME for adorable 1 year old mixed breed female puppy. Has all her shots and has been spayed. She is house broken and very smart and playful. Gets along well with other dogs. Freckled white, blond and reddish markings. Call Veronica at 765-3446 FOR SALE: English Saddle. 18” seat, brown leather with suede leather knee rolls, stirrup irons and leathers, web girth, horse-size snaffle bridle with 5” bit and reins, pad. Nearly new. $2,500 pesos NEEDS GOOD HOME: very intelligent, loving terrier, gets along with other dogs, spayed, up to date on shots. Sadly, she can escape from my low walls. See her at Dr. Medeles, Guadalupe Victoria 73, Ajijic or 766-3862 FOR SALE: Tack box - portable, metal, locking, compact storage unit for saddle & tack. Many other items including new & like new saddlebags, spurs, crops, clippers, etc. Evenings 376-766-4365 FOR SALE: Midwest Canine Camper single door, folding soft crate for large dogs - 70 to 90 lbs. Self-erecting. No poles, stakes or supports necessary. 43”L X 28”W X 32”H. About 20 lbs. Comes with carry case. $50.00 USD or peso equivalent. WANTED: Need To Find A Mate- Xolo. I need a male to meet with my female xolo - mexican hairless to mate next year. “Nena” is a mini xolo and will be ready to cross next Feb. I am in Guadalajara but can come out to lakeside and meet. 15688234

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

FOR SALE: Matching sofa and chair, like new. Pictures available. Price 4500.00. Call Lorna or Grahame at 766-2793. FOR SALE: Godin Seagull 12 string guitar for sale. Very good condition with B-band pickup system installed. Price $350 DLLS or peso equivalent. Call: James Kellum @ 01 387 7610020. FOR SALE: Wooden TV cart on casters. 28 inches wide, 25 inches high and 16 inches deep. Open front with 2 shelves. Price 250 pesos, 766-4105. FOR SALE: Medicine cabinets, almost new 3 door mirrored wooden medicine cabinet. 30 inches by 30 inches and 6 inches deep. 3 shelves. 1000 pesos, 766-4105 FOR SALE: Like new Hamilton Beach grill. Similar to George Foreman. Suitable for cooking Hamburgers, steak, chicken etc. 250 pesos, 766-4105 FOR SALE: Ge Gas Dryer. Almost New. Rarely Used. 3 Cycle. $2990 Mp. Call 376-7656505 Between 7-9 am & 5-8 pm. WANTED: I would like to buy some metal weights or dumbells...Reasonable priced as I will only have use for them for one month... Contact: Frank Lough FOR SALE: MVP Prolift 3 ton jack & 4 3ton jack stands. All are in very good condition. 120.00 USD. Call 376-766-2951 FOR SALE: Sony speakers from bookshelf stereo system, 13h X 9w X 11d. $500, Call: Karen @ 331-364-2195 WANTED: Need gently used recliner, reasonably priced, for therapeutic use. No plaid. FOR SALE: Queen size duvet/cover, shams and bed skirt in rust/gold/green. Virtually new condition. $450, Call: Karen @ 331-364-2195 FOR SALE: 4’x 8’ Brunswick pool table, elegant style ‘Bradford’ model, mahogany color finish, like new condition, includes triple light, dark wood cue stand, four break-down cues, balls, rack. Price $2,300 USD. Contact: Richard Bray FOR SALE: Folding massage table with detachable head rest. Legs adjustable. $2,500 pesos. Contact: Yvonne FOR SALE: TV Philips Magnavox, black, 16 inches screen, 400 pesos. Contact: Josee Turbis FOR SALE: Krups La Glaciere. 1 Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker. Like New Price: $400 Pesos. Call:766-2164 FOR SALE: Electric Meat Slicer, Brand General. Vacu-Base like new. $500 Pesos. Call: 766-2164

FOR SALE: 3 tiered rod iron stand with glass shelves. 38 inches high,18 inches wide. 250 pesos, 766-4105 FOR SALE: Oster 6 slice toaster oven. Warm, bake, toast, etc. 500 pesos, 766-4105 FOR SALE: Have to sell. Like new motorcycle with only 500km, saddle bags and 2 helmets. Phone for any other details. $13,500 pesos (1,050 US approx). There is an answering machine for Ph: 765-3392 FOR SALE: Used DISH TV receiver with latest smart card, all wiring, remote, no balance on it, like new works great. $100US OBO. Contact Hyks WANTED: Need an eliptical satellite dish for Star Choice system, ASAP. moving to a house that has none. Contact: Stella Lake. FOR SALE: New home music system consisting of vertical CD player, am/fm radio, remote control, MP3 ready. $1200 pesos, 387761-0827 FOR SALE: Lovely honey colored, varnished pine wood dining table with oval glass top. 62 inches long by 39 inches wide. Asking $6,000 pesos or best offer. Call 766-3103 AFTER January 6, or email arjay333@gmail.com FOR SALE: Generac Generator 5000 Watt, New. $3500 Pesos. Call: 766-2164 FOR SALE: Heavy Duty Hand Truck. Used. $250 Pesos. Call: 766-2164 FOR SALE: We ordered way too many large river rocks for our yard and don’t need the rest. You will get them at a fraction of the price. There are at least 6 wheel barrels full available. 200 pesos. Contact: Lauri Jenson FOR SALE: Beautiful wicker chaise lounge in excellent condition. The cushions are made from designer fabric from Ricky. 2000 pesos. Contact: Lauri WANTED: Looking for a twin bed and mattress, preferably wood platform frame with 2 drawers on each side. Or a rollaway bed. FOR SALE: Magnavox RD0510 5” Color TV. Includes plug for home Plug for Car Instruction Manual $500 p Firm Call: Julie Hensley @ 7654590 FOR SALE: Three seat sofa in mauve with arm covers. New foam. $6500 pesos. Four Blue Slipper Chairs. Touch of mauve and other colors in the blue. $1,000 pesos each. Set of Sofa and Chairs $10,000 pesos. Request photos by e-mail. FOR SALE: Six wood chairs with cane seats. Two with arms, four without arms. Wood dowels need tightening on 2 chairs. $1200 pesos. Request pictures by e-mail. Contact: Sherry WANTED: Wanted to buy new or used, queen size mattress in good condition-- please respond ttutinkcss@hotmail.com WANTED: I require a simple electric sewing machine for doing some clothing repairs/ alterations. As long as it has straight, reverse and zigzag stiching, I’ll be happy. Price under $100 USD. Contact: Stella Lake WANTED: Looking for a great working Stand Mixer, at a good price. Call: Julie Hensley @ 765-4590 FOR SALE: Beautiful and unique, hand carved Pink Cantera, 4 Tier Fountain. Brought all the way from Michoacan. Is too big for our yard. $450 0r BO. Call Veronica at 765-3446 BEST OFFER FOR: Brand NEW 3 wheel electric scooter. Hydraulic lift for loading in and out of the vehicle... 2 sets of ramps 1 nearly new wheel chair... 2 sets of wheeled walkers.. Will sell seperately. Call early mornings or evenings. Ask for Suzi 766 4456 FOR SALE: Used refrigeration system taken out of a walk-in cooler/ walk-in freezer $195.00 US Call: Bill Lindsay 765-7097 e-mail dobilin@ look.ca WANTED: I am looking for a used Bread Maker that works 100%. Call. Julie Hensley @ 765-4590 FOR SALE: Bunn double urn coffee machine. Double hotplates switch on and off comes complete with manual, restaurant quality. Price $300USD Call: Heinz Stapff @ 7653587 FOR SALE: Double espresso and steam outputs comes complete with manuals and electric coffee grinder. restaurant quality. Price $3,000 USD. Call: Heinz Stapff @ 7653587

FOR SALE: Custom made black ornamental iron fence, 1 meter tall, 45 meters long, including 2 gates. Paid $24,650MP eight mos ago. Best offer gets it. Call: R. Weaver @ 766-1358 FOR SALE: The juice man Jr. like new price 500 pesos. Call- 766-2164 FOR SALE: Colman stove 2 burner 300 pesos. Colman lantern 200 pesos. Good condition. Call: 766-2164 FOR SALE: Heavy duty wrought iron drapery rod with decorative ends on rod. Usable rod length 65” to 72”. Decorative end pieces and a further 9” for one piece or 18” for the 2. Price $ 45.- US . Contact: Yolanda Mc Gaughey FOR SALE: Two sets of luxurious satin finish fully lined pinch pleated drapes. Thick lining will keep light out for good night’s sleep. One pair: 66” wide & 9 ft. In length $28.- second pair: 41” w & 80” long. $ 18.- Contact: Yolanda Mc Gaughey WANTED: Four or five drawer dresser required for bedroom. Contact: Theresa Archer. FOR SALE: ladies size 9 med.beige washable leather shoes. Worn once, but too tight Price $ 45.-US. Contact: Yolanda Mc Gaughey WANTED: Wanted Queen size bed or queen mattress in good condition. Reasonable. Contact: Theresa Archer FOR SALE: Elite brand 4oz popcorn maker in excellent condition. Easy to clean. There’s nothing like freshly-popped popcorn for a party or movie night! Price $1000 MX Contact: Meredith Mille FOR SALE: Very nice like new reclining sectional. Cup holders. Perfect for watching the game with friends. Black Email me for a photo. Price $25,000 Pesos. Call: Danny Urbano @ 844-764-8074 FOR SALE: Great condition. Beige living room sectional. Email me for a picture. Price $6,000 Pesos. Call: Danny Urbano @ 844-7648074 FOR SALE: Beautiful table with 4 chairs. Very nice. Like new. Email me for a photo. Call: Danny Urbano. FOR SALE: Like New 64” Mitsubishi TV. Only used for video games and movies. Price $13,000 Pesos. Email me for pictures. ruthandcharlesinmexico@yahoo.com WANTED: Record Player. Would like to buy a functioning phonograph/record player for 45, 78, 33-1/3 vinyl records. Contact: Donald Williams FOR SALE: Kenwood TS-50S HF Transceiver and SGC SG-230 Smartuner microproscessor controlled automatic antenna coupler. Keep in touch with the world, still a great source of world communications. Price $8,500.00 MN Contact: Patricia Castillo FOR SALE: TDK CD burner. Good working order, with cables and manual. Price $50 Call: John Whiley 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: HP printer Deskjet 810C series, good working order, complete with CD and manual. Price $50. Call: John Whiley 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@yahoo.com FOR SALE: Camcorder. Sony mfr, complete with manual and carrying case $95. Call: John Whiley 7653824 or johnwhiley2000@yahoo. com WANTED: Car battery charger. Want a decent 6-12 Volt car battery charger; it’s that simple. Call: David Unlisted @ 376-763-52-48 WANTED: Share Star Choice Programming. Want someone to share programming on Star Choice (now Shaw), we know our systems are compatible. Call Jill 766-3025 or write fotoflyer2003@yahoo.com WANTED: Need a Black Baby Grand Piano in good condition with bench. Sound quality key. Will have it picked up. Would like to have it before Dec 2009. Contact: Linda Fossi FOR SALE: LIPITOR (not expired). have a bottle of 90 Lipitor from Pfizer, 80mg; take USD or pesos at current exchange rate. Price $100 USD or pesos. Call: David @ 376-763-52-48 FOR SALE: Fisheye lens FC-E8 for Nikon CoolPix digital cameras. Originally developed for scientific or industrial applications, Fisheye lenses are now also widely used in advertising, commercial and general photography. $100usd. Call David Tingen @ (376)765-3676

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago January 2010

Saw you in the Ojo