El Ojo del Lago

Saw you in the Ojo

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El Ojo del Lago September 2009

Saw you in the Ojo

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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

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COVER STORY

Herbert Piekow writes a touching true story (and today almost forgotten) about how many thousands of European Jews found refuge in Shanghai during WWII.

8 Cover by Rebecca Ford

11 POETRY Mark Sconce, a new contributor, has written a poem whose topic is sure to draw attention to it.

13 COMPLAINT CORNER M. A. Porter weighs in with a few of the things that bother her about her beloved Ajijic.

60 HISTORICAL Jim Cook gives us some historical perspective on a holiday that is celebrated in almost every country in the world: Labor Day

62 POLITICS Fred Mittag writes about what had been one of the most troubling aspects of the war in Iraq—that of denying the American people the right to see the ultimate human cost of the war.

64 ANNOUNCEMENT The Ojo del Lago’s 15th Annual Awards Luncheon will soon be coming up, an event that is the Tingen Family’s way of expressing its gratitude to the writers who have made the Ojo the premier publication here at Lakeside.

66 MEDICAL Dr. Manuel Cordova’s final installment on his series about falls, a subject of much interest to the Lakeside community.

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.

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COVER STORY

PUBLISHER

Index...

El Ojo del Lago September 2009

COLUMNS THIS MONTH 6 7 10 14 16 17 19 26 32 34 38 40 48 50 52 54 56 58 65 73 74

Editor’s Page Op-Ed Bridge by Lake Uncommon Sense Thunder on Right Planting for Future Faith and Fables Joyful Musings Havoc in Motion Welcome to Mexico Lakeside Living Magnificent Mexico This World of Ours Feathered Friends Wondrous Wildlife Child of Month New Lease on Life Hearts at Work Paw Prints on Heart Have Walker/Travel LCS Newsletter

LAKESIDE LIVING

z DIRE C TOR Y z

38 MAGNIFICENT MEXICO

VOLUME 26 NUMBER 1

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By Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez

Gossip-Mongering

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illiam Shakespeare said it best (as he did almost everything!) some 400 years ago, when he put something like the following words into one of his immortal plays: “He who steals my purse steals nothing. ’Twas mine, ’tis his, has served a thousand masters. But he who filches from me my good name, steals that which not enriches him, but makes me a poor man indeed.”

Here at Lakeside, this type of theft sometimes reaches alarming proportions, perhaps one price we pay for living in a “paradise.” In our tiny corner of Mexico, news travels swiftly, unfounded gossip even faster.

Yet among people of character and accomplishment (and there are thousands of such people in our midst), such feckless activity is easily shouldered aside. These people are far too busy leading active and productive lives as they quietly go about adding to the culture and beauty of our area, even as they work to improve the lives of those less fortunate amongst the Mexican population.

However, the spreading of unfounded rumors is an act of omission, as well as commission, the former more insidious as it can involve even those who would never engage in the dissemination of malicious gossip.

It goes something like this: you’re at a party, and someone voices a vile and unsubstantiated rumor about a person you greatly respect.

Yet rather than challenge the gossip monger, you remain silent. Then, when other people, aware of your friendship with the person under attack, turn to get your opinion, you mutter, “Oh, really? I didn’t know that about him.”

Such cowardly behavior only serves to further validate the rumor, and hence speeds it on its charactercrippling way. This type of person is too gutless to stand up for the truth, and indeed usually stands for nothing at all. Yet this response is,

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if not commendable, at least understandable.

Most ex-pats here at Lakeside have already fought the major battles in their lives (I count myself an exception to this rule), and have come to Mexico hoping to live in peace with their neighbors. The last thing they want is to be disliked. So they remain silent, even in the face of callous character assassination.

Many Mexicans, however, are made of different stuff. Among these people, the spreading of hateful gossip is considered a game for fools—an act which they know diminishes the dignity of not only the person defamed, but the purveyor of the rumor, as well.

We foreigners would do well to emulate the behavior of our hosts.

But if conscience cannot guide us, there is in Mexico yet another “regulator.” This country has the most stringent slander and defamation laws in much of the Americas. In the U.S. and Canada, a person is often allowed to say anything he pleases about anyone he wishes, regardless of how unfounded or harmful it might be, knowing that even if he’s sued, the case may take years to come to trial. But in Mexico, such words against a private citizen can quickly land their purveyor in jail.

I think the hallowed right of freedom of speech in the U.S. and Canada is often squandered on imbeciles and knaves.

Perhaps Mexico, in this one regard, is far more enlightened than its two “freer” neighbor-nations to the north.

Alejandro Grattan

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By Maggie Van Ostrand

Tourism in Ajijic

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exico’s economic downturn may be worse than those of other nations because so much of Mexico’s economy depends on tourism. Mexico City’s solution is the Tourist Assistance Card, offering insurance for medical, legal, and flight delays. Cancun has a problem with no sand on their beaches, a problem so severe that the Mexican Navy was dispatched regarding the theft of sand from one hotel by another.

What about Ajijic? We have the Lake Chapala Society, a magnificent lake, and a nearby airport. So how can we attract more tourists? First, visitors have to get here, probably by plane. Lots of airline accidents lately could discourage visitors, unless they fly on a safe airline, bringing us to Benefit #1.

SAFE PLANES: Mexicana Airlines has had only three accidents since 1969, the last one being 1986.

Aeromexico has had only 6 accidents since 1973, and none since 2000. Source: AirDisaster.Com accident databases.

LOW CRIME: According to Frommer’s, Guadalajara has much lower crime rates than Mexico City.

Crimes against tourists and foreign students are infrequent and most often take the form of purse snatching. Ajijic is a short 35 miles south of Guadalajara.

HOTELS: Disclosure: I can only personally recommend where I stay, La Nueva Posada, on Lake Chapala. The price is better than right (and includes a divine breakfast), service is excellent, food tasty, rooms beautiful, and there is no ambience in all of Ajijic that’s more conducive to relaxation than this home-away-from-home boutique hotel.

HISTORY: The U.S. has pyramid clubs and pyramid schemes, but no actual pyramids. However, there’s one that’s not too far. Guadalajara has Guachimontes, containing the pyramid Ixtepete. Guachimontes is over 2,000 years old, although it was excavated only a dozen years ago. Once upon a time, the Guachimontes complex was the

cultural center of West Mexico.

MUSIC: Want to get away from rap music? Come to Ajijic and try public transportation: a little bus that tilts if there are more passengers on one side than the other and, where more often than not, someone on that bus will be playing soft music on a sweet guitar. I always thank the musician as well as the bus driver. For parties, hire Folklorico dancers. The price is reasonable, they are all great looking, and it was in the State of Jalisco that this national dance originated. Best of all, Michael Eager of La Nueva Posada locates the best dancers, and can supply a wooden floor to install over your lawn for dancing. Nothing musical is impossible in Ajijic, especially if you play the tuba.

LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY: There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet. New in town? Looking for a place to rent? Videos? Books? Spanish lessons? Volunteer work? Need to know how to move here? Anything can either be found at the LCS, or someone will know where it is. And you won’t find more beauty than these large grounds and gardens, bequeathed to LCS by author and benefactress, Neill James.

FRESH AIR: Remember that from when you were a kid? Just add floral fragrance drifting on a warm breeze, and you’ll have the scent of Ajijic.

I suppose we could always offer a Tourist Assistance Card, like the big boys in the big cities do, but what would tourists need insurance against, too much food, or tomatoes that taste like tomatoes instead of wet cardboard? And if Lake Chapala lost the sand on its shore, would the Mexican Navy invade? Highly doubtful.

Until it becomes illegal to breathe clean air, listen to good music, and make new friends, Ajijic may be that magical place you’re looking for.

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MY FRIEND URSULA —The Jew From Shanghai

By Herbert W. Piekow

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n March of 1939 my friend Ursula Blomberg was just eleven years old when she lost her innocence at the rough, stubby fingers of a Nazi matron who ordered Ursula to undress in a small, cold room on the Austrian side of the Brenner Pass.

The unsmiling, large woman thrust her probing fingers up Ursula into her most intimate spot. “No jewels or gold coins in this Judenschwein,” the woman barked at the closed door.

My friend was ordered to dress; as she slipped on her underpants a trickle of blood snaked down her pale right leg. She quickly rejoined her mother and the other women who had been selected to enter the private rooms. All the women stood silently, not one of them discussing why they had been separated from their husbands, nor what they had experienced behind the closed doors. Half an hour passed before the women were allowed to rejoin their husbands on the Genoa bound train.

Passage aboard the Shanghai, China destined, German steamship that left Genoa, Italy cost Ursula’s father nearly $45,000 dollars. Once on board the steamship they joined 420 other Jews each of whom had experienced the same Nazi scrutiny as they packed the single suitcase under the watchful supervision of an armed guard. Anyone caught trying to smuggle valuables was shot and their possessions appropriated.

In July of 1938, at the behest of Franklin Roosevelt, The Evian Conference was held to see how many Jews each country of the world would accept. After a month long meeting all delegates decided that none could allow any Jew into their country. Not the US whose immigration policy allowed 25,000 Germans annually, but not one US Consul approved a single Jewish visa application; not Canada or even Mexico.

The only one accepting Jews was Japanese controlled Shanghai, referred to as: “The armpit of the world.” To the nearly 20,000 newly arrived Middle European Jews, Shanghai was a welcomed challenge. In August of 1939 the Japanese closed Shanghai, Ursula and

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her parents felt blessed to be living amongst the other stateless Jews in the sweltering port city.

From the deck of their steamship the newly arrived Jews whispered amongst themselves as they surmised the view of various national flags waving from the wharf side buildings must be Consulate Row. The most arrogant was the red, white and black flag of Hitler’s German Reich; the huge swastika fluttered mockingly in the breeze. At that time Shanghai was divided into several areas: The International Settlement, leased by the British for ninety-nine years, was the heart of the city. The Concession Francais, was a pleasant residential area where Ursula’s family would later live for a short time.

The huge Chinese Quarter was offlimits to foreigners.

A greeting committee from the Jewish community escorted the new arrivals to a temporary Heime (a free shelter) in Hongkew, an area adjacent to the International Settlement.

Hongkew had been “won” from the Chinese in 1937 by the Japanese, who invited Jews to settle there.

At the time Shanghai was home to the black sheep of Europe’s wealthy families; Chinese of every social strata, Egyptian and Syrian Jews had lived there since the days of the ancient Silk Route, and some were amongst the wealthiest citizens of China, much like Mexicans of Lebanese descent are here. Crowded into Shanghai was a large society of Eastern Jews who had fled there during the Russian pogroms; these arrivals had solidified the Jewish presence.

By 1939 there existed nine Jewish bookstores, a circulation library, a German language radio station and four cemeteries to accommodate various Jewish sects. Jewish newspapers were printed in German, Pol-

ish, Russian, Yiddish and English.

The Jewish community assisted the newly arriving European Jews with meager, shared housing and by conducting survival education programs. The recent émigrés had been allowed to travel with less than a hundred dollars and their desire for survival. Ursula’s father quickly learned the intricacies of trading goods and soon ran a painting company, which thrived due to the fact that almost everything in Shanghai had to be painted yearly.

Ursula contributed to the family’s finances by teaching both English and French while her mother taught herself to sew and began a business altering clothing for the Jewish community. The family did as so many were forced to do, they found another family to share quarters with, a place with a working toilet, not a shared bucket that had to be emptied each morning. Mrs. Blomberg learned to buy and cook just enough for each meal, as there was no way to keep food fresh in the steaming port city. Everyone missed their former homes and lifestyles but each time they heard news from Europe, through the Red Cross, they prayed for the families they left behind. Ursula’s mother frequently repeated the Chinese proverb. “Only tomorrow can give us answers for today; and tomorrow never comes.”

In Shanghai life had a forced normalcy, Ursula had her first crush while people formed lasting friendships, and others married, had babies and died. A theatre group formed to give very professional performance.

A small, excellent orchestra entertained the foreign community with regularly scheduled concerts.

To the teenaged Ursula the dance hall was her favorite Shanghai escape. The converted warehouse was the size of several football fields and with white linen clad tables, waiters rushing about and a dance band playing the latest American and British dance tunes everyone left the hardships at home.

Life was challenging but the immigrants were free to live and prosper; however, most of them knew nothing remained the same for long.

One late November afternoon in 1941 Ursula was going to friends for dinner and as she had many times, she walked past the US Consulate to say, “Hi,” to some of the Marine guards she had befriended, and to look at the American flag which reminded her that one day she would immigrate to the US. The Marines were lined up in front of the Consulate, two young

men formally closed, then bolted the gates before joining their fellow Marines. Ursula begged her friends to tell her what was happening. “We’re going on maneuvers to Manila.”

Hot tears slid down Ursula’s face when she told her family. Everyone looked to America. This was bad news but more was to come because in February of 1943 the Japanese issued, “The Proclamation Concerning Restrictions of Residence and Business of the Stateless Refugees.”

Neither White Russian nor Shanghailander Jews were affected by the edict that required some 20,000 Jews and 50,000 Chinese to live together in less than a square mile of land.

The Hongkew ghetto had no barbed wire and it was not heavily patrolled, but one needed a pass. Everyone had to find and pay for their own accommodations, which were primitive, cramped and without running water. This meant reverting to the shared toilet bucket and all the indignities of living in a confined place with strangers you hoped you could grow to like. Ursula, now a young woman, found it disturbing to listen through the thin sheet that separated her bed from her parents as they undressed each night; she tried with all her might not to hear them, or the other couple that shared the single room divided only by worn material for walls.

For the remainder of the war the displaced Jews of Shanghai struggled to feed themselves, entertain and educate themselves and hope for the day they could immigrate to the United States. Somehow most of them managed to live with little food, less medication and plenty of hope as they endured cholera epidemics and moon light bombing raids. One night their prayers were answered and the Japanese silently left Shanghai and as the sun came up American and British soldiers at last entered the city.

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BRIDGE BY THE LAKE

By Ken Masson

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en Masson has been playing, teaching and writing about bridge for 35 years. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Ken has been living in Toronto since 1967. He and his wife and bridge partner, Rosemarie, are now in their third year wintering in Lakeside.

The bidding on this hand was fairly standard in the modern game and was probably repeated at many tables in a matchpoint duplicate game played at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club.

With East and West passing throughout, North opened 1 diamond and South responded 1 spade. North rebid 2 clubs and South made a conventional call known as “fourth suit forcing”, in this case 2 hearts. This alertable bid announced the values to force to game and asked partner for a further description of his hand.

The fourth suit call does not promise any particular holding in the suit bid. In this deal, North rebid his clubs to show 5-5 in the minors (and also denied holding as many as 3 spades, since he had already denied 4 by not supporting partner at the first opportunity).

South now finished the bidding with a call of 3 No Trump.

West led her fourth best heart, the 8, and declarer played low from dummy. East played the 10 (third hand high) and declarer followed with the four. East continued with the heart 3, covered by South’s 7 and now the defenders had to be careful. Since West had no entry to her long hearts, she had to duck

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this trick and hope her partner had a quick entry plus one more heart to get back to the winners in her hand.

And so it materialized. Declarer won the heart Queen in dummy and immediately took a successful spade finesse, winning the Queen.

He continued with the diamond 10 and, with the King conveniently located in the West hand he was able to run 5 diamond tricks. Alas, he then ran out of steam and when he had to switch to clubs, East won the first trick with the Ace and promptly returned his last heart to defeat the contract Technically, declarer erred when he failed to play the heart Queen from the dummy at trick one. His best chance on this deal was that West held all the outstanding high cards (the Aces of hearts and clubs and the King of diamonds) or that West held the diamond King and the hearts were 4-4. These chances would not have prevailed in this case and the contract was doomed so long as the defenders kept their communications open.

Questions or comments: email: masson.ken@gmail.com

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Ajijic

By Mark Sconce

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mart friends will think you’re rather chic When you retire to Aji-

jic.

They’ll know that’s “where the water runs” ‘Neath temperate skies and gentle suns.

May even know Chapala Lake Invites retirement for its sake; Where anytime you might request a Margarita and siesta.

Medley birds and crowing cocks, Tethered horses, grateful rocks.

Magazine “El Ojo del Lago,” Guacamole, avocado.

Soft zephyrs blowing off the lake Confirm again a temperate clime, And gentle native folks partake Of slower life, mañana time.

Tianguis market beckons me, Your Wednesday’s camaraderie, Your vivid palette to behold, Your produce ripe, your colors bold, Your spirit young, your manners old.

Sure, Lake Chapala’s northern shore Will teem with life forever more, With weary folks from distant shores, With wounded veterans of life’s wars.

Utopia and Shangri-La And then, of course, Valhalla— While living though, we’ll stake our claim Near lovely Lake Chapala, Then thriving there, Insh’ala.

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TAKING THRIFTINESS TOO FAR! Courtesy of Federico freethinker1@mac.com

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Scottish Soldier in full dress uniform marches into a chemist’s shop. Very carefully he opens his sporran and pulls out a neatly folded cotton bandana, unfolds it to reveal a smaller silk square handkerchief, which he also unfolds to reveal a condom.

The condom has a number of patches on it.

The chemist holds it up and eyes it critically.

“How much to repair it?” the Scot asks the chemist.

“Six pence,” says the chemist.

“How much for a new one?”

“Ten pence,” says the chemist.

The Scot painstakingly folds the condom into the silk square handkerchief and the cotton bandana, replaces it carefully in his sporran and marches out of the

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door, shoulders back and kilt swinging.

A moment or two later the chemist hears a great shout go up outside, followed by an even greater shout.

The Scottish soldier marches back into the chemist’s and addresses the proprietor, this time with a grin on his face.

“The regiment has taken a vote,” he says.

“And so?” asks the chemist.

“We’ll have a new one.”

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JUST BITCHING

By M.A. Porter

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ot to embarrass you too much, but entering full-blown menopause during the hot season in Ajijic is a cruel fate. My New England grandmother would be horrified that I even mentioned my condition, and no less than in print, but there it is, Granny. Deal. Salt water is oozing from every pore while odd bits of me are swelling, and I’m feeling put-upon to be stuck for the better part of the year in this blanketyblank paradise.

My fellow citizens in the USA are preternaturally given to complaint and so, in reality, I’m just being a proud American and following suit. Expats from the Big 50 complain about what’s going on back home, but having been hypnotized by Mexico, we don’t do a whole much about anything but forward emails of our particular political stripe and growl over the U.S. nightly news that digitizes itself in our satellite systems.

The problems seem too far away to have any practical impact, but the local political parties do try. However, who wants to join one of those groups of gadflies? Republicans are mean bastards and Democrats are blind fools.

So, I must do my part and share all of my grievances at this moment in time; I can’t help it as I have a hormonal tormenta that is boiling up in me like the hopeful clouds in the southern sky: Number One: The new jingle used by Z-Gas makes rap music seem like a classical composition.

Whatever happened to the plain ol’ “Zeta ga-a-a-a-a-z-z-z” mournful call, which created in the human heart the feeling that all was possible because cooking gas was humbly and dutifully drawing nigh?

I became a loyal Z-Gas customer only because the other company’s jingle caused migraines. Ah, and so you tell me, where might one lay her loyalties now?

Second: If an expat has lived here for more than 10 years and still doesn’t speak Spanish with some fluidity, I believe it ought to be legal to slap them silly on behalf of the Mexicans, who would so like to do it but, not thusly acculturated, cannot.

And Then There’s: When will the

L k id natives i dT i stop Lakeside and Tapatios tossing litter on the streets? It isn’t this way in other places in Mexico because a well-versed gentleman from Monterrey offered that only in Jalisco do people believe that their mothers will walk behind them and pick up their sticky ice cream papers and taco plates. We both wondered why.

Oh, And: Those who allow contractors who build or renovate houses to use labor from Guadalajara just because it’s cheaper ought to revisit the “do unto others” credo.

There are plenty of local masons, carpenters, painters, electricians and plumbers who need work. You are allowed to insist that your contractor employ local people. Catch a clue—wouldn’t you do the same back home if things were tight with your neighbors’ food budget?

Wait, I forgot: The 15-yearold girls sans husbands who stroll with their twins in strollers while their toddler trails, wailing, behind them—well, they’re getting to me. I know, I know, it’s the culture. I get it. But when she appears at my door with the fake prescription in-hand, asking for 500 pesos, I just tell the mother to please do whatever she can to stop producing children because, if so, the three of them will have a better life. Then I kiss toddler, wipe his snotty nose on the hem of my t-shirt, and hand Mom a frosty bottle of water.

Why I’m About to Scream Right Now: These flies in my office are driving me over the edge. They’re of the genus called facius-flius— they love my face and sometimes, when I consider how rude life feels and so nothing really matters, I just let them rest there and kiss me with god knows what sort of bacterialladen probosces, until I hit myself in the face with an old Guadalajara Reporter. Which I just did. And now to my bath, which has every possibility of making all bliss return, though it be undeserved.

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UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE

By Bill Frayer

Slow Down, Calm Down and…Think

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s we were watching television the other evening, we saw an advertisement for the umpteenth time featuring a very strickenlooking middle-aged woman talking about a young boy in Africa whose mother had died, leaving him to take care of his three younger brothers, often having to go without food himself so his brothers could eat. The ad ended showing the boy sitting and staring with a tear rolling down his cheek, and the woman narrator, on the verge of tears herself, begging the viewers to “please help!”

Now this is undoubtedly a very desperate situation, and the agency she represents may be doing good work, but the ad is an unapologetic appeal to emotion.

First of all, emotions are important and a vital part of our lives.

But they can be used to influence our behavior (by getting us to give money to an organization we know nothing about), without giving enough information so we can make a rational decision. Advertisers know that we are more likely to part with our money when we are feeling pity (or fear or anger or love) than when we are thinking clearly. So they appeal to our raw emotions. It works.

I think the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, provide another good example. The television images of the attack were horrendous, and we didn’t, for quite some time, know that another attack wouldn’t come soon. People were

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Bill Frayer feeling very afraid. As a result, many Americans were willing to accept laws and regulations which limited our freedom, just to feel safe. People were willing to give the government broad powers they ordinarily would not even consider.

One could argue that this fear has led to bad policy and to an unjustifiable war. People are motivated easily by fear. In circumstances like this, rational voices urging caution are drowned out.

The point here is that we need to understand that we will be motivated by our emotions, but we can also apply reasonable standards as well. In other words, expect to be emotional, but give yourself the time and resources to apply reasoning too.

Salespeople understand this.

They expect potential buyers to be excited and carried away. They want us to make a decision quickly, before we have a chance to think about what we can afford or consider other options. Once we’ve thought it over, we may reach a more rational, decision.

We are always struggling between the reality we want to be true and the reality we actually face. We may think we want to live a healthy life, a stress-free life, which should lead to less of a need for medical care. After all, our emotions tell us we’d rather not worry about illness

and just enjoy our lives. As a result, we may not make reasonable arrangements to cover our costs during a serious illness, because we don’t want to consider the possibility that we will get sick!

Good thinkers develop an ability to detect when they are feeling overwhelmed by emotions. When they’re feeling angry, they give themselves time to cool off. Recognize your tendency to experience emotions and separate that from your intention to think critically.

Next month I will look at the ambiguity of language.

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THUNDER ON THE RIGHT

By Paul Jackson paulconradjackson@gmail.com

L

ake Chapala’s Rotary Club president Robert Salvatore was on the phone saying he wanted me to speak before his group. And, gee, I had thought I’d outlived my welcome in this community. But, no, Salvatore and executive members such as Rae Ashmore, Pete Johanson, Mike McCarthy and Don Lott, and past presidents like Hal Brown, Dick Lewis, Henri Loridans and Ruben Pettersson and other members were all gathered and apparently actually enjoyed my thumbnail sketches of politicians and other personalities I’d interviewed along the way in my ignoble career.

Quite a variety, too, such as: Richard Nixon: He surely believed in the Imperial Presidency, and that a man in his position had to have stature and respect. All business. Despite his later woes, he did die a respected elder statesman.

Ronald Reagan: Amiable and congenial. Everything you expected. Yet even with his seemingly casual attitude, he brought down the Soviet Union, the most ruthless dictatorship of the era. After Winston Churchill, my greatest political hero.

Walter Mondale: A very decent man. As with Robert Dole, we’ll always wonder what a Mondale presidency would have been like.

Margaret Thatcher: Somewhat like Nixon, lacked warmth, but like Reagan, changed the world for the better. Maggie hectored me to “stop fawning all over her, and pandering to her.” As with Reagan, one of my political heroes.

Jimmy Carter: Still have all the credentials I received to interview him, but typical of his crisisplagued presidency, yet another mishap blew up in his face and he cancelled his visit to Canada. Did I miss anything? Perhaps only Jimmy’s toothy grin.

Mikhail Gorbachev: The most charismatic world leader I’ve ever met. To think, when he earlier toured North American as Soviet agriculture minister I turned down

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Paul Jackson

an invitation to interview him on the basis Soviet agriculture ministers never achieved anything. Almost botched my second chance, too.

Brian Mulroney: A close friend. Won the two largest majority governments in Canadian history. Oozed Irish charm. Convinced Reagan acid rain wasn’t science fiction, and was hailed by the North American environment movement as “the greenest prime minister” ever. Add to that, Mulroney led the worldwide campaign to free Nelson Mandela and end apatheid in South Africa. Best Canadian prime minister since the Second World War. Yitshak Rabin: Disarmingly gentle and gracious, but in building Israel he was tenacious and unrelenting. As tough as nails. I admired him.

On the political hustings come invitations to cocktail parties, particularly hosting entertainers.

Here’s some I attended, and some I met: Ginger Rogers: Yes, I did dance with her, but in all honesty, it was a quick 30-second whirl around the room. Ginger was unaffected, and sparkling. Marvelous lady.

Tom Jones: Far shorter than he looks on stage, self-effacing, and with a quick sense of humor. As I recall, we had a few drinks and both got slightly mellow.

Connie Stevens: Yes, she of Hawaiian Eye and the hit song Sixteen Reasons fame. I fell desperately in love with her as a teenager, but she went off and married Eddie Fisher. On meeting her, she still fluttered like a butterfly, with an enchanting chuckle in her voice.

Mickey Rooney: In real life he was no Andy Hardy - at least in later life. A distasteful individual.

There are many, many more, politicians and entertainment personalities, but even if the time isn’t up, the page is.

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

You’re Invited to the Cinderella Ball

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lans are afoot for the annual ACÁ Harvest Fair on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 at the ACÁ organic farm and Eco Training Center in Jaltepec. Every year is different, except for the Great Greens salad bar and corn on the cob with butter. This year I’ve proposed a new event called the Cinderella Ball, where we’ll crown a queen. The queen will be the person who has attended the fewest events and parties in town because every time she tries to go out the door to do some fun thing, something happens and she has to stay home.

Candidates for queen of the Cinderella Ball will be required to fill out an entry form, and the winner will be the one who has the best reason(s) why she had to cancel something and stay home.

For example: 1. The electrician (plumber, repairman, etc.) showed up to do some work unexpectedly, after you had been waiting for ___ (days, months, years). Caution: The current record is held by a homeowner whose electrician showed up 2 months after being called. Newcomers please note the promise of money is rarely sufficient motivation for faster response, as the current record holder owed the electrician $2,000 pesos for work previously completed.

2. You have to take your (neighbor, spouse, friend, pet) to the (doctor, pharmacy, airport, vet).

3. Your (dog, cat, spouse) got out of the gate and into the (trash, neighbor’s yard, nearest bar, etc.) and has to be brought home.

You get the idea.

The winner will be given six wind-up mice to help with the housework, a new broom and a DVD of Walt Disney’s Cinderella.

The only problem is that the queen of the Cinderella Ball will not be able to attend because (see above).

You can find out if my proposal is accepted in next month’s column, where I’ll have a run-down of Harvest Fair events. In the meantime, if you can get out the door to do something fun, try the following.

Don’t expect to see me there; I’m running for queen.

Upcoming Summer Food Market Tours: Abastos Tour: 9/07 and 10/07; Organic Tour: 9/26. Tickets: 200 pesos in advance at the ACÁ Eco Center, Diane Pearl Gallery or from Berta on the Patio at LCS. See more details at www.greatgreens.org. Questions? Email acaecotalks@gmail.com. ACÁ’s Great Greens are sold at the Lake Chapala Society, SuperLake, and at the ACÁ demonstration farm and Eco Center in Jaltepec (M-F 9-5, Sat 9-1).

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DEATH AND BIRTH OF A MAN From Rob Mohr Exploited/expendable/unwanted he sits in the open door head down arms on his knees spread to hold the weight/ mind sifting through old dreams angst and hopes/ as the day grows hot surrounding him with the only embrace he will/ ever know.

Blasting/raucous/pitch-less sounds spill out as children play running chickens kicking cans clanking as they roll away, awakening memories of the long emptiness dark vacuity/ as his mind opens gripping him with the last embrace he will ever feel.

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OF O F F FAITH AITH A AND ND F FABLES ABLES

By Bob Haynes bzhaynes@gmail.com

When On Board The Ship Of Faith

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ev. Carl Palmer told the story of an elderly couple who were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on board a Cruise Ship to Alaska.

They had talked about taking such a trip for many years but financially just couldn’t make it happen. He used the story to make a point about our spiritual journey. It was given as a part of the spiritual retreat I attended called The Walk to Emmaus.

Back to the story: As time passed, their children grew into adulthood, married and moved away but thankfully the family remained very close.

As the 50th Anniversary grew near, the adult children of this couple decided to pitch in and pay for a special 14-day Alaska Cruise for their parents.

When they made that announcement, their parents were elated. At long last, they would be able to take that trip they had dreamed about for years and years. Even if the money situation had remained very tight, they were going on a trip of a lifetime. It was a perfect present from their children.

Later, as they were packing to leave, the elderly couple realized that they really had no money to take for extras on that 14-day trip. In order to save money, they would have to take some food along—peanut butter, crackers, etc.—in order to make it through those days on the ocean.

So, that’s exactly what they did. They enjoyed every bit of the cruise. When it came time for breakfast or lunch or dinner, they quietly went back to their cabin and ate the food they had brought.

On the 12th day, the husband began to smell the most wonderful aroma coming up from one of the ship’s many kitchens. It was unmistakable.

It was prime rib and he dearly loved prime rib. He couldn’t stand it any more. Taking his wife with him, he went to see the ship’s captain. They told the captain that they would be glad to wash dishes, clean rooms, whatever, in order to have just one meal with the other guests. After all, prime rib was their favorite.

The captain shook his head. “Do you mean,” he said, “that all this time you have been eating crackers and peanut butter alone in your room?”

“Yes,” they replied. “But we would really do almost anything to be able to join the other passengers for this one meal.”

‘I don’t know how to tell you this,” the captain said, “but all meals are included in the cost of the cruise.

Of course you may join us for this and all the remaining meals on board.”

The story is poignant one because, as Rev. Palmer said, it points out that many of us may be on the ship of faith, but we may indeed be missing out on some wonderful meals.

I know that growing in our faith is one of the most wonderful gifts God has given us. As we mature in our faith, we learn so much more about God’s Grace. If we simply are excited about our decision to accept Christ, but then do nothing more than go to church each Sunday without exerting much effort, we might indeed be on the right ship but missing many wondrous meals. Shalom!

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THE SECRET OF GUACAMOLE

By Margaret Van Every

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t’s simple, the guaca from the middle of aguacate, Spanish for avocado, and mole, which to Aztecs conjures sauce.

Choose avocados (Haas are best) just yielding to the pressure of the thumb.

Then fetch fire: jalapenos or serranos, the most that you can bear, seeds and all, to cleanse the sinuses and sweat you sinless from inside out. You’ll need a ripe tomato, squeezed of excess juice, lime and salt to taste, plus all los dientes de ajo the company will stand. Mash it all together but not to mush, and you’ve got guacamole . . .sort of.

The missing ingredient now will be revealed: it’s the one you can’t go out and buy.

We’re talking about the three-legged molcajete, the mortar and pestle ground from lava by generations of brightly-clad women kneeling on dirt floors, waste-length

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brai br aiids braids knot kn otte tedd be behi hind them, making guacaknotted behind l mole.

No dowry is complete without an Aztec blender, not some imitation procured at the mercado, whipped out by machine, but one that’s been seasoned down deep in the pores, that flavors the salsa with the scorched breath of a volcano and a bouquet of stone. It harbors remnants of centuries-old cuisine and bestows on the bride the aggregate blessing of grandmas before, whose grinding deepened the bowl with each batch and etched memory into the grooves.

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By Prof. Amos C. Miller:

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mong British monarchs none has been judged more unfairly than George III. The novelist William Thackerey pronounced him “a dullard brought up by narrowminded people,” but added “the cleverest tutors could have done little to expand that small intellect.”

Even George’s acknowledged domestic virtues became a source of ridicule.

The strain of fidelity to an ugly wife and performing his conjugal duty with her were alleged to have been major factors in his mental breakdown. But if George felt the slightest repulsion towards Queen Charlotte, he kept it a dark secret from her. With Charlotte, he had fifteen children, twelve in the first fifteen years of marriage; a record in the history of British monarchy.

As to his mental capacity, George was clearly not an intellectual or reflective man, but he possessed average intelligence and above average practical ability. He received an excellent education and had a variety of interests and skills, especially in science and technology. He loved Handel’s music and played the flute, harpsichord and piano.

The falsest charge against George, however, was that he revived the absolutist claims of the Stuart kings. His tutors had carefully taught him the limits of royal power. In a schoolboy essay, he wrote: “The pride and glory of Britain is political liberty.”

Yet the prestige and authority of the monarch were far greater than today. In George’s presence it was said that even the great William Pitt bowed so low that his long nose

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projected between his legs. The king still chose his own ministers and could exert considerable influence over policy. He also enjoyed patronage power to offer posts in the royal household and army to members of Parliament who voted as he and his ministers directed.

Though he occasionally behaved like a “constitutional bull in a china shop,” George became an able politician who used these powers with skill and determination.

Nevertheless, he well understood that by the end of the 17th century a basic constitutional change had occurred in England.

No king or ministry could pursue a policy that did not command a majority in Parliament. This is why it is impossible to blame him for the disastrous policies pursued by the English government that led to the American Revolution.

In believing that Parliament had a sovereign right to tax the American colonists, George agreed with the great majority of his subjects inside Parliament and out. Had he pursued any other course he would have violated his obligations as a constitutional ruler. The justice of such taxation seemed all the clearer since it was levied for defense of the colonies themselves after a war with France in which many colonists profited by trading with the enemy. John Hancock, who “signed the Declaration of Independence in letters so large that King George could read them without his spectacles,” had 500 indictments for smuggling against him.

Unfortunately, like most Eng-

lishmen, George underestimated the fighting ability of the colonists.

Perhaps he recalled the comment of General James Wolfe concerning those who served under his command against the French: “Americans are, in general, the dirtiest, most contemptible cowardly dogs you can conceive. They fall down in their own dirt, and desert by battalions, officers and all.”

In defense of their own liberties, however, Americans soon learned how to fight and Britain found itself locked into an unwinnable conflict.

Once the war ended George accepted defeat with his usual blunt honesty. To John Adams, the new American ambassador, he said: “I was the last to consent to the separation, but the separation having been made, I have always said that I would be the first to meet the friendship of the United States as an independent power.”

Five years later George was afflicted with a strange malady that inspired a fine film, The Madness of King George. His body was racked with pain and his urine turned dark purple, now recognized as a symptom of a hereditary disease called porphyria. Even more disturbing was George’s personal behavior.

He talked incoherently and incessantly, and assaulted several people, including his eldest son. Once, in his wife’s presence, this normally pious and prudish man became violently amorous towards a beautiful lady-in-waiting.

The doctors, in turn, became violent towards him. When he misbehaved, he was strait-jacketed or gagged. Nevertheless, George regained his health and functioned normally for more than ten years.

Then the disease reappeared, and he passed his last decade as a blind, deranged old man. Yet it was during the final half of George’s reign, when he lived under the shadow of sickness, that he won lasting affection and respect for the courage and dignity with which he faced his misfortune.

He had always been known for his pleasant demeanor. The king, said John Adams, combined “the affability of Charles II with the domestic virtues of Charles I.” But George’s greatest pleasure was to go out and converse with ordinary citizens about their daily lives, and sometimes give help in cases of need. So it is not surprising that his popularity was greatest with ordinary people.

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Beware Of Boomers!

By An Anonymous Contributor

D

espite the widespread availability of Twinkies, life expectancy in the United States has been climbing and shows no sign of a decline. The 20th century saw the greatest gain in life expectancy in all of human history, an increase of 30 years. Americans today can expect to live to be 77.7 years old, the government says.

We may reach 79 by the year 2015.

By refusing to expire after a reasonable number of years, the boomers are threatening the social order. Unconcerned about the consequences, they are poised to make us a Nation of Geezers. Their brain gyms (Sudoku, anyone?) will keep them driving long after the age at which their grandparents quit.

They’ll be starting new businesses, “reinventing” themselves, jumping out of airplanes on their birthdays.

But this is not good news for anyone other than the boomers themselves, because our social institutions have not adjusted as life expectancy has increased. Lifelong marriage, for example, is one thing when you expect to live to be 40, quite another when there’s a chance you may one day turn 110.

Familial wealth is another. A couple of generations ago, patriarchs died at 50 or 60, leaving resources to their still-young kids. Now, we’re faced with a future in which crusty boomers are cruising around in their red ’Vettes plastered with “I’m Spending My Grandkids’ Inheritance” bumper stickers.

The boomers will hold onto not only their money, but their jobs.

They will be reaching the traditional retirement age of 65 over the next 20 years, but a mass exodus from the workplace is looking less likely every day, particularly in hard times.

Boomer professionals aren’t vacating the corner offices anytime soon; 70 percent say they’re going to keep working. Deal with it, Generation X. You are doomed to be the Prince Charles’ of the American workforce, waiting patiently for an opening that may not come.

Nor will aging boomers move from their homes to make room for you. There was a time when a young

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family could expect an assortment of spacious 4 BR/2 BA fireplaced ranchers coming on the market regularly, as Grandma and Grandpa downsized. That’s over. The boomers, having spent the past decade putting down Brazilian cherry floors in their mudrooms and hand-painted Mexican tiles in the bath, are not going anywhere. Their nests may be empty, but they are well feathered.

And, catastrophically, the Boomers Without End are going to snuff out what little life is left in the Social Security system. One survey found that nearly half of 61-year-olds plan to start drawing Social Security checks at 62, whether or not they are working. This will drive our government accountants nuts and the conspiracy theorists nuttier. Says author Mike Adams: “Ever wonder why they give out free vaccine shots to all the senior citizens every winter?

Because vaccines increase the death rate!”

What good are old boomers, anyway? What can we, as a nation, do with 77 million ageless Botoxed Parrotheads whose continued existence ensures that the oldies stations play Zeppelin for decades to come? In generations past, the elderly remained useful even in their final, feeble years, baby-sitting their grandchildren, dispensing sundry wisdom, and keeping their extended family supplied with pound cake.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the geezerin-chief, would say they should just die and reduce the surplus population. Not likely. The boomers will be with us for a long time to come, and we’ll have to find a purpose for them. Meanwhile, maybe they could lighten up on the All-Bran and hit the trans-fat. For posterity’s sake.

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Joyful Musings

By Joy Birnbach Dunstan, MA, LPC, MAC

The Magic of Friendship

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friend recently gave me a gift I proudly display on my desk.

It is a plaque saying, “A good friend would bail you out of jail, but a true friend would be sitting next to you saying, ‘That was awesome!’” The best gift is the friend herself, but the plaque brings a smile each time I read it.

One of the greatest treasures of Lakeside living is the ease of making friendships. In an expatriate community, by definition virtually everyone here is from somewhere else. People are welcoming of newcomers and open to new friendships.

Not all friends are created equal.

With some people, we are merely friendly, rather than friends. These include casual acquaintances like the proprietor at the corner market or the volunteer you work with Saturday mornings. We see these people by happenstance when we are doing a particular activity.

More important to us are companions; those folks with whom you share common interests and pursue shared activities. The person is secondary to the activity and if the person is unavailable, s/he can be interchanged with another or the activity cancelled or postponed until another time.

Spending time with a companion is enjoyable, but conversation may be limited to small talk and impersonal subjects.

The most special and hardest to come by are true friends. Spending time together is primary, and the activity is secondary or incidental. It takes time to develop a true friendship. You can say anything to a true friend and just be yourself because “a true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.”

True friends are there in both good times and bad times, and you know you can call them at 3 a.m. if you’re in trouble.

What does it take to make a true friend? Eleanor Roosevelt

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said, “Friendship with oneself is all important because without it one cannot be friends with anybody else in the world.” It’s hard to build a friendship with someone else when you aren’t comfortable in your own skin. If you don’t like you, why would someone else?

It’s important to like who you are even if you don’t like everything you’ve ever done. Allowing ourselves our imperfections and mistakes makes it easier to be accepting of others. Being respectful and having a non-judgmental attitude is the foundation of true friendship. It gives us the safety to open up and share at a deeper, more intimate level.

Compared to men, women tend to have more and closer friendships. Recent research has shown that, under stress, in addition to the adrenalin rush that inspires a fight or flight response, women also release oxytocin. This hormone buffers the fight or flight response and encourages a woman to tend children and gather with other women. This explains why women tend to seek each other out in difficult times and has been dubbed the “tend and befriend” response. Men, in contrast, have a surge of testosterone under stress, which encourages them to go off on their own to deal with problems.

This inherent difference may explain the increased longevity of women over men. Research suggests that not having close friends or confidants is as detrimental to your health as smoking or obesity.

Be a good friend to yourself by being a good friend to others. It’s a winning combination for everyone.

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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‘TIS THE SEASON

By Margie Harrell raining and it’s “I t’swonderful” began the

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call from my amiga in Ajijic as I sat in triple digit heat in the Nevada desert. Immediately a flood of memories came rushing back to me of the many rainy seasons I had spent on the shores of beautiful Lake Chapala. When the monsoons arrive, both the inhabitants and the countryside seem to go through a metamorphosis. Life is renewed as Mother Nature goes about her business.

My first glimpse of that part of Mexico was in the month of March many years ago. The mountains were a dull brown and everything was dusty and parched. There was great anticipation of what was to come but first there would be the slight humidity of May to contend with. Overhead fans would get a workout as many margaritas were consumed.

Once the rains began in early June you could almost set your clock by the daily downpour. It usually began around 4 pm and lasted for about two hours always careful not to interfere with the day’s or evening’s activities. Generally we could count on a midnight storm complete with lightning and thunder. When the electricity would fail it just seemed to be part of the nightly ritual. My childhood fears of storms vanished when I moved to Mexico as I sat on my patio and watched the light show.

Like many houses my doors and windows didn’t fit snuggly, allowing the dust and rain to enter. It

was a constant battle for the maid to keep the floors and furniture clean. I recall my first windy storm and how the water came in under the doors and flooded the living room. It was at that moment as I feverishly mopped that I knew life in Mexico was going to be anything but dull.

A pesky fly was disturbing my sleep as I repeatedly tried to brush him away. Finally I switched on the light only to discover it was water that was hitting my face. The roof had sprung a small leak that was playing target practice with the bed. After placing a bucket under the spot I retired to the living room couch for the rest of the night.

A call in the morning to the rental agency solved the problem as they had many times before.

The sun was shining as I looked forward to a fun time at a friend’s birthday party. I had been elected to bring the cake but my old car decided not to start so I set out on foot, cake and gift in hand. Suddenly there was a loud clap and down it came. I had forgotten the cardinal rule during rainy season: always be prepared. When I arrived I looked like a drowned rat. Early the next day I went shopping for an umbrella which I kept at my side long after the rainy season had past. Just in case.

At times life can be both amusing and frustrating as we encounter the simplest of tasks. When the family would call and I would tell them it was raining their response was always “Oh dear, perhaps it won’t last too long.” I never tried to explain the joys of a Mexican downpour. Like a lot of things that happen in Mexico, you had to have been there to fully appreciate them.

Life can be simple but never boring, relaxing but always full and at times it can drench you but it never dampens your spirits. ‘Tis the season for such pleasures. Enjoy.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

D D

ear Sir: What a wonderful web site! (www.chapala.com) Thanks so much for cramming so much creativity and color and interest and pleasure into just one glorious website -- I’ve enjoyed poring over all the twists and turns of what your wonderful community offers. I had heard of Ajijic many years ago and I’ve nurtured for myself the thrilling idea of living in Mexico ever since.

Life (as it will) has had its way with me, however; many stories and many journeys have unfolded since then, and I’ve most recently found myself living in Oklahoma City taking care of my parents for the past 11 years.

Stumbling upon your website today has “put the chilies to” the idea, all over again! But the information feels somewhat scattered... there’s a real estate company, I got that; and then there’s this news-

paper, reporting the comings and goings and doings of a whole bunch of very interesting and creative people...but no introduction, explanation, or ‘Welcome,” no overview or central voice shepherding all the diverse info...

So, with your permission, I might continue to offer these respectful observations from outside your ranks (from one who has been in publishing and communicating for many years), to have that central touchstone for your offering would be so lovely.

I have found that to give the public, the reader, a central “home” place to “jump off of” would give a more solid, centered, grounded, cohesive, and inviting feel to this representation of your “little corner of the world.”

Perhaps even the bios of Richard and David Tingen would serve as part of that introduction nicely... a welcome starting point which would certainly make this interested reader feel so much more eager and confident about possibly joining in the fun!

So, lovely folks, I hope my forthrightness will serve only as a well-meaning contribution. You are already so successful, all-embracing and dedicated to fun— and I send you all wishes for more of all that, plus my support and enthusiastic bravos and bravos.

Sincerely, Nancy E. Wood Oklahoma City Our Editor Replies: Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to send along such a comprehensive list of suggestions. We will give them serious consideration. and deeply appreciate your interest in our publication. Hope to see you down this way sometime soon.

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Havoc In Motion

By Jay White

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here’s a highway bridge over the Dry Devil’s River on the outskirts of Sonora, Texas, where I and my cousin Butch used to hide out to smoke cigarettes.

One day after school, we ducked under the bridge and came upon a vagabond Mexican so filthy we thought at first his face and hands were covered with scabs. He had no shoes and his clothing was nothing but rags held together by dirt. He was lying on the cement embankment in a state of total exhaustion, and when I spoke to him he turned his head a little to see me but seemed not to have the strength to raise it.

There were flies in his hair and beard and his eyes were the color of lead.

Butch would not approach the man because he said he thought he might be rabid. But I was a less cautious child. I went up to him and offered him tobacco. He just looked at me, forlorn and helpless. I ran over to the corner Magnolia station and bought a Coke and some Moonpies

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Jay White

to give him, for I thought to save his life, and hustled back.

My cousin was still under the bridge when I got back, but the poor vagabond had gone. Butch said, “He just up and left,” and I said, “Where?” and Butch said, “Yonder,” and pointed down the river bed, and in a minute or two we saw his form in among the dead reeds, going away to the south. He was trying to get back to Mexico, I guessed—trying to get home.

When I told Mama about the man she said, “Yawl hadn’t ought to be playing under them old bridges, Jay Raymond. It’s dangerous.”

Sometimes now, at odd moments from time to time, I wonder about that Mexican vagabond. I wonder if he made it.

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Welcome to Mexico!

By Victoria Schmidt

Missing Mary

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miss Mary. Some say she died of a heart attack, someone else said it was complications from diabetes. Whatever took her from our midst, stole away a joyful and generous spirit.

Mary sold jewelry. She could be found at most all the “hangouts” of the tourists and the expats. She would lug around two different sample boxes, one contained rings for both fingers and ears, and the other contained necklaces. Mary always greeted you with a smile, and while her jewelry was mostly stainless steel, her memory was crystal. She would remember a purchase made six months prior, and would recommend more purchases to compliment it.

Never too pushy, she’d offer a price, and then the negotiations

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would begin. “For you, $200—no, $150 pesos” she said one day as I admired a small beaded necklace.

All I needed to do would be to hold it up, glance back, and before I could say anything else she said: “OK, $125.”

At the Ajijic square one day, she dropped by our table and asked if anyone wanted to buy.

No one did; yet she sat and talked with us for a few minutes, helping us with our Spanish. Then she gathered her things and went on.

Later that night, my husband and I were at a restaurant in Chapala— and there was Mary still out sell-

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ing her wares. I wondered how many miles she put on in a day. It seemed like she worked such long hours, and she seemed so worn and tired.

Since it was near Christmas, my husband decided to treat me with a beautiful necklace. But we had to get to an ATM to replenish our cash. So we left the restaurant with Mary following us in her car.

While my husband worked the machine, she and I talked about her work, and her family. She had already lost a brother, and only had one sister. Just then, a young girl came running up and hugged Mary—one of her nieces, she explained. Mary said she didn’t have any other family. I asked her if she was done for the night, and she said, “I think so now, it’s late… it’s enough for today.” We left her talking to her niece.

In January we had a visitor from “up North” and Mary showed up at yet another restaurant as we ate.

Our friend selected a necklace to buy, and we bought Mary some coffee and cake, which she readily accepted… and then turned and shared half of her cake with the

man who sells baskets.

When I saw her next, she told me her sister died. She was so sad, and seemed only to think of her loss. We didn’t talk about jewelry that day, and that was the last time I ever saw Mary.

I miss Mary. I miss her joking with us, her smile, and I feel as though I lost a friend. Others at Lakeside seem to feel the same.

When Mary died, her nieces didn’t have the money to bury her, and rather than allowing the State to bury her, one Lakeside woman put up a loan to have Mary buried by a funeral home. The total cost was about $7000 pesos. Lakesiders have been donating to the fund, which is now down to $3000 pesos. Yoly’s is taking donations so the balance of the bill can be paid.

I think it speaks volumes about the kind of person Mary was that people are contributing to help lay her to rest. But it also speaks volumes about the hearts of the people who live here at LakeVictoria Schmidt side.

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THE T HE POTTER’S POTTE ER’S DOG DOG

By Robert Taylor

A

few months past in early May At a potter’s roadside

place, I stopped by his pots of clay My visit there I now re-trace.

I found that day in Jocotepec A dog no less - to my suprise The very image of my dear pet With golden hair, ears, face and eyes The potter took in this stray young friend His companion now- in captivity Whose daily hours were to spend Chained to his tree - the indignity And so each day I passed that way This dog and I - now friends, you see To the potter: one day could say‘If only he belonged to me’.

The weeks flew past - no solace given

To that dear dog whose fate decided To spend his hours in his own prison His master’s care - so misguided.

Three months hence, I learned the worstHis collar, frayed, loosened, broke Alone at night, nature cursed, That deadly road- gone in a stroke.

Some dogs are loved, and some we cherish, And in return they give devotion, But some, not loved, so quickly perishDismissed, denied, without emotion.

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QUILT PATCHES

By Jeannette Saylor

O

ften we find ourselves involved in discussions about what love entails.

It’s this or it’s that, you will hear them declare ...thoughts about love that don’t go away.

Whatever it means, we know love will touch a harmonic chord that brightens our lives.

To take love apart from a valentine heart, we can patch a quilt with embroidery shapes, and show designs that forever remain, ...colorful shapes...angora-dream things.

Yes, we often need to patch a few dreams on this special quilt showing what love means.

Let us cross-stitch a patch for the boy of seven, in a blue and gold block for this

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rainbow quilt-a boy who whistles and stomps his boots, as he tries to mimic his father’s shoes, or a Junior High Miss who decides it’s time for her school to permit a summer midriff-this glossy patch will be strawberry red.

In the center, though, I hope we will find two oval patches of embroidery designs reflecting the persons who tried to help us-...I think we might call them Mom and Dad.

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Phone: (376) 765-3676 (Ojo office for message – I’ll call back) 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.

The August meeting of CASA, the Culinary Society of Ajijic, offered hot and cold soups and 10 luscious cheesecakes.

In soups, 1st place went CASA People’s Choice winners to Karen Rowell for her tasty Leek, Mushroom and for August Gruyere Cheese Soup.

Joann Nash won 2nd place for her Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup while 3rd place went to Dianne Pretti for her Red Pepper, Fennel and Leek Bisque with Crab. Cheryl Davis won People’s Choice for her Creole Cucumber Shrimp Soup with Dill Sauce. In cheesecakes, 1st place went to Mary Ann Waite for her Salted Caramel Toffee Cheesecake. The annual summer picnic will be held September 7 at Club Nautico. On a sadder note, in August CASA lost Mary Martin, an enthusiastic supporter. For more information on CASA and joining the group, call Patrick at 766-4842 or email patriciowinn@hotmail.com.

The August meeting of the Lakeside British Society was one of appreciation.

Certificates went to Gillain Gilbert for her presentation on Hybrid Seeds and to Lady Fleming for her 50/50 fund raising at each meeting. They meet at Manix Restaurant on the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m.

Contact Alicia, 765-4786, or Ceri at cpdando2000@ yahoo.com.

The Los Cantantes July tour of Central Mexico induced more than music. The group sang in Zamora, Morelia, PatzcuaCuitzeo, San Miguel de British Society certificate recipients ro, Allende, and made trips to the Sistine Chapel of the Americas in Tupátaro, Santa Clara del Cobre, famous for copper, Tzintzuntzan, and Dolores Hidalgo, site of Mexico’s independence uprising of 1810.

In Morelia, the group sang with choirs from around Mexico at a new church, La Catedral Inmaculata with none of the typical ornamentation. The combined performance of 400 singers joined voices, each group singing portions of the mass.

Ed Tasca, a humorist with El Ojo del Lago, won the Robert Benchley Society Humor Award for 2009. On August 17 The Robert Benchley Society announced the winners of their Annual Humor Award Competition. In first place

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for his essay Let’s Click Up the Old Gang Sometime is Ed Tasca of Toronto, Ontario and Ajijic, Mexico for his lively writing on a new topic, social networks.

September 4 at 6 p.m. there will be a classic ensemble directed by Maestro Enrique Flores, who has performed for Viva la Música in the past. The concert will be held in the Auditorio de la Ribera. Tickets are at Actinver Lloyd Ajijic at $100 pesos each for the benefit of the Chamber of Commerce of Chapala.

September 17 from 12-8:30 p.m. is Dine with the Shrine at the Atotonilco church interior Trattoria Axixic, Carretera No. 30, across from the OXXO. All proceeds will be donated to the Shriners’ Transportation and Treatment Fund by Trattoria Axixic’s owner, Juan Nolteinas. The Shriners raise money to send children up to the age of 18 to the Shrine hospital in Mexico City for treatment of orthopedic, spinal column injuries and burns. A parent accompanies the child at no cost and treatment is free to recipients.

The Naked Stage, September 18-20, will be at 3A Calle de Zaragoza (one block west of Colon). This production features a troupe of Lakeside theater buffs reading off-beat, provocative plays. Shown will be Shock of Recognition by Robert Anderson and The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel.

The Naked Stage is the brainchild of Jeritza McCarter and Betty Lloyd Robinson. Tickets are 50 pesos. Wine, beer and soft drinks available. Performances at 5 p.m.

Friday and Saturday with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday. For more information, call 766-2044.

On October 5, 6:30 p.m., The ladies in The Oldest there will be a fundraising dinner at Universidad Tecnica en Profession Hotelaria Jaltepec. Cocktail music will be provided by Tim Welch. Ticket prices are $350 pesos. Contact Linda Buckthorp at 766-1631 or buckthorp@laguna.com.mx.

On November 14, at 6 p.m., Helen Zerefos, Order of Australia Medalist, will appear as guest at an open air dinner and concert at the Chapala Train Station. The event will benefit Centro de Formacion Jaltepec, the Universidad Tecnica Superior en Hoteleria. The proceeds will go towards improving facilities so young ladies from Lakeside can be invited to attend daily classes. To reserve tickets or a table for the dinner/concert, call Linda Buckthorp at 7661631 or email buckthorp@laguna.com.mx as soon as possible. Ticket price is $550 pesos per person. Seating is limited to 500 guests and will be promoted in Guadalajara.

The American Legion post #7 schedule for September: Sundays, all month: 12-3 p.m. Legion Grill (burgers, beans, salad) Sep 1-11 a.m. Auxiliary Executive Board Meeting Sep 2-9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. US Consulate and Social Security services Sep 3-1 p.m. Events Committee Meeting Sep 4-8 a.m. – 1 pm. Yard Sale Sep 5-2 p.m. Mariachi Festival Trip (info: bprince32@gmail.com ) Sep 7-2 p.m. Labor Day Grillin’ & Chillin’ Sep 8-11 a.m. Auxiliary General Meeting Sep 10-11 a.m. Legion Executive Board Meeting & General Meeting Sep 11-3 p.m. 9/11 Recognition Ceremony Sep 14-5 p.m. cocktails, dinner – Fiesta de Mexico (advanced tix only) Info: Barbara Prince, 765-3418 or bprince32@gmail.com Sep 16-9 a.m. – 11 Continental Breakfast; 11-2 p.m. Champagne Brunch Sep 24-3 p.m. Lone Star gathering – be a Texan!

The American Legion post #9 sent an envoy to Antigua, Guatemala

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Every artist, interior decorator and housewife knows that blues are the most fugitive colors in the spectrum, especially when exposed to bright sun or harsh weather conditions.

Blue draperies soon fade and blue painted flowers and skies turn muddy gray.

How, then, could the Lowland Maya, whose climate can hardly be called benign, paint murals, pots, stelae and temples with a brilliant blue-green

pigment that has defied sun, wind, biodegradation, erosion and acid rain for over 1500 years?

This wonder was first identified by a Harvard archaeologist working at Chichen Itza. The pigment, called Azul Maya or Maya Blue, is so amazingly resistant to severe weathering that it has intrigued archaeologists and chemists for over a century. The brilliant color cannot be damaged by ordinary strength acids, alkalis or chemical solvents. Not even nitric acid can affect it. It can only be destroyed in a laboratory by using very intense acid treatment under reflux.

While the date of its first appearance is somewhat controversial, Maya Blue was used ex t e n s i v e l y throughout the Classic period, beginning about AD 500, and was still in use during the sixteenth c e n t u r y.

Pa i n t i n g s in several Convents of Colonial Mexico, notably those done by the Indian Juan Gerson in Teca-

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machalco, are clear examples of the combination of Indian and European schools called Arte Indocristiano. In all of them Maya Blue was used freely.

After that, the techniques for its production seem to have been forgotten in Mexico although examples using the mysterious pigment were being produced in Cuba as late as 1830.

The basic ingredients for producing Maya Blue have been known since the 1960’s. It is mainly composed of a vegetable dye extracted from the indigo plant combined with palygorskite, a natural white clay called sak lu’um or ‘white earth’ in Yucatecan Maya plus a few trace minerals. Both main ingredients were readily at hand. The indigo plant grows wild in the tropics and was used for dying cloth treating a number of illnesses long before the Conquest. Palygorskite mines have been found at Ticul, Yo’Sah Bab, Sacalum, and Chapab, all on the Yucatán peninsula. The clay mineral was also used by healers as a curative for certain illnesses, and there is evidence to show it was also employed by potters as a tempering element.

An actual recipe to produce Maya Blue pigment was published in 1993 by a Mexican historian and chemist, Reyes-Valerio. He learned that the white clay and the natural blue dye from indigo leaves formed a permanent bond when heated slowly to between 150 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Only if the

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combination was exposed to such sustained low-heat, would classic Maya Blue be obtained.

Since then there have been many developments in the history, chemical analysis and production of the pigment.

It has long been known that blue was the color of sacrifice in the Maya world. Sixteenth century chronicles tell of how human beings were painted blue before being thrust backward on an altar and having their beating hearts cut from their bodies. Human sacrifices were also painted blue before they were thrown into the Sacred Cenote at Chichén Itzá.

Now, new investigations have indicated that perhaps actual production of Maya Blue was an integral part of the ritual.

This should not be surprising.

In 1904, the Sacred Cenote (a natural well) at Chichén Itzá, into which humans and jade, wood, rubber and leather objects were thrown as sacrifices, was dredged by archaeologist Edward H. Thompson. Over one hundred human skeletons and thousands of objects sacrificed by the Maya over the centuries were found. Most curiously, though Thompson was unaware of its true importance, he found the bottom of the cenote covered with a fourteen foot layer of bright blue silt.

Every pot, bell, bead, fruit, statue etc. had been ritually “killed” to release its spirit, some had been heated and most had been painted with Maya Blue before being

thrown in the water to appease the Rain God, Chac. Humans were painted blue as well before being thrown alive into the depths. The extremely rare survivor, who was believed to have been sent back as a messenger from the gods, was fished out to live in honor for the rest of his life.

Dean E. Arnold of Wheaton College had spent some 40 years investigating the mysteries of Maya Blue when he chanced upon an item among Thompson’s finds from his dredging. The card read, “Tripod bowl with copal, painted blue.” Copal (called pom) is a form of hardened resin from the sap of the copal tree, basically a young form of amber.

Copal melts at a temperature of about 150 degrees centigrade; it burns slowly and consistently and would be ideal for heating the mixture of clay and indigo.

Its pungent smoke was, and still is, used as incense in ceremonies throughout the cultures of Middle America.

Extensive testing of the contents of this bowl proved that there were both indigo and palygorskite in the mixture as well as partially burned copal.

To Arnold this was evidence enough to prove that using copal for on-the-spot preparation of the Maya Blue for painting the sacrificial offerings was, indeed, a part of the sacred rites. Not everyone agrees with him. There are scientists from other disciplines who argue that burning copal is not

necessarily the only source of heat to produce the pigment or that production had any ritual significance. Arnold is not worried. “They are not archaeologists,” he says, “and they don’t understand perhaps how ritual works.”

“The Maya used indigo, copal incense and palygorskite for medicinal purposes. So, what we have here are three healing elements that were combined with fire during the ritual at the edge of the Sacred Cenote. The result created Maya Blue, symbolic of the healing power of water in an agricultural community.” Rain is critical for farmers and from January to mid-May almost no rain falls. Arnold adds, “The offering of three healing elements thus fed Chac and symbolically brought him into the ritual in the form a bright blue color that hopefully would bring rainfall and allow the corn to grow again.”

So progress has been made in solving the mysteries. The fourteen foot layer of blue silt in the Sacred Cenote is explained as indestructible pigment washed from blue painted offerings and the production of Maya blue was a sacred rite. Finally, if submerged for a long, long time, the pigment will finally dissolve.

But the search still goes on. Stay tuned!

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in July. Attending were Mike Woods, Tim Stern, Al King and Vince Britton. Election of officers for 2010 results: Mike Woods, re-elected Commander; Tim Stern, First Vice Commander; and Vince Britton, Chaplin. (Pictured from left, Vince Britton, Tim Stern, Mike Woods, National Vice Commander Harley Ray and Al King) American Legion post #9 Members of post #9 provided support for the Marcos Castellanos School, Participants: School Principal, PTA members, and Post 9 members: Abe Sanchez, Al King, Don Lott, Troy Graves and Wallace “Red” Crowder.

Coming Events: September: Legion National Convention, Louisville, KY. Sep 2-12 noon – Post 9 Executive meeting Sep 9-12 noon – Post 9 General meeting Post #9 current activities include support for a youth soccer team, scholarship support and maintenance for the Hacienda La Labor School, and a scholarship fund for the Golden Strings. Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at the Smokehouse Cantina at 12 noon. Turn onto the divided street across from Mom’s, Legion sign on the right. Email Tim Stern, Commander at americanlegionajijic@gmail.com.

At the Lake Chapala Society, October 13-16 is Health Care Week. Flu shots will be given all week by Lidia Zamudio, 10-12:30. This will be the regular flu shot. Swine flu shots will probably not be available. There will be a charge.

Monday 10-12 blood pressure checks Tuesday 10-12 lecture 9:30-12 diabetic testing 10-2 osteoporosis testing Wednesday 10-12:30 skin cancer screening Thursday 9-12:30 optometrist Friday 10-3 CPR course 10-12 blood pressure Jan Shiver, director of Medical Services at LCS, needs volunteers. It will be a short term commitment, much by phone in order to contact medical practitioners and services to verify information and to add new info. Please leave name, phone number & email in LCS office (mark it for medical services).

Lakeside Little Theater news: There are two auditions in September. First is for the frenetic farce Don’t Dress for Dinner, written by Marc Camoletti and directed by Roger Tredway. Auditions take place September 11-12; three women and three men are needed.

Performances are December 5-13. For scripts and information, contact Roger Tredway at 765-2427 or email DontDressForDinner@yahoo.com.

The second September audition is for the classic drama, The Dresser, written by Ronald Harwood and directed by Larry King. Auditions are September 25 & 26, looking for three women and eight men. Performances are January 16-24, 2010.

For scripts & information, contact Larry King at 7640381 or email alark427@ yahoo.com.

Children at lunch LCS Fiesta Day The 2009-2010 Season Ticket Renewals and New Sales will be September 8-9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the LLT lobby. Season ticket prices are $800 pesos for all six shows,

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$150 pesos for a single show.

Performances start at 7:30 p.m. except Sunday matinees, 3 p.m. Season shows: 1. Regrets Only, a political comedy, September 26-October 4 2. The Mousetrap, an Agatha Christie mystery, October 31-Nov. 9, no performance November 2 3. Don’t Dress for Dinner, a comedy, December 5-13 4. The Dresser, a drama, January 16-24, 2010 Don’t Dress for Dinner 5. The Boy Friend, a musical, February 27-March 9 6. Dracula, a thriller, April 3-11 The LLT encourages those interested in acting, new or experienced, to attend auditions for any of this season’s plays, and if you would like to volunteer behind the scenes, the LLT is always looking for people to train in lighting, sound, wardrobe, props, make-up, stage managing and other positions. Contact Don Chaloner at 766-1975 or email 77dondo@gmail.com.

Don’t forget that Season Ticket Holders are invited to LLT’s Annual Kick-Off Party on Saturday, September 12 from 5-7 p.m. See you there!

The Music Appreciation Society (MAS) Season Tickets for the concert program of 2009-2010 will go on sale at the Lake Chapala Society for three weeks beginning September 14, 10-12. Ticket prices are $1000 pesos, $1200 or $1500 pesos for each reserved seat. This year’s program: November 17 – Three Tenors and a Soprano: opera arias December 16 – Flamenco: Antonio Jimenez “El Chupete” and seven artists January 14 – Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra: a “Night in Vienna” February 9 – Three Sopranos: opera arias, duos, trios March 23 – Two Guitarists Extraordinaire: Juanito Pazcual and Russian, Grisha Goryachev – classical style Mexican Holidays for September: Sept 16 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – a major celebration beginning the 15th with the Grito de Dolores, Padre Hidalgo’s 1810 call for Insurgency against Spain.

The reading on the Ajijic plaza begins around 11 p.m., followed by fireworks, the Mexican style castillo. On the morning of the 16th, the parade moves west to Seis Esquinas (Six Corners) and ends at the plaza.

Oct 4 Chapala celebrates fiestas patronales, honoring San Francisco de Asís (Saint Karen Blue on Francis of Assisi).

Open Circle at LCS on Sunday mornings at Chinese Astrology 10:30 a.m.: Sep 6 Tim Schubert Sep 13 Judy Dykstra-Brown: good grief –on the death of a loved one Sep 20 Gloria Marthai Sep 27 Sally Bahous Allen Oct 4 Peter Denton – a tale of two South African dogs VIVA! La Musica’s schedule at the Auditorium in La Floresta (7:30): Sep 10 Comic Opera The Elixir of Love by Donizetti conducted by Luis Rodriguez, 50 person chorus, 4 soloists, costuming, $300 pesos for members, $400 for non-members Nov 26 Bus trip to Morelia, return Nov 29 – concerts by Conservatorio de las Rosas chamber orchestra, the Brodsky Quartet from Britain and a concert by the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and the White Quartet. Contact Rosemary Keeling, 766-1801.

VIVA Scholarship Winners include 2 violinists, 1 cellist, 2 pianists, 1 flautist – Our congratulations!

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THIS WORLD of OURS

By Bob Harwood bharwoodb@hotmail.com

Scorecard On Climate Change

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he recent G8 Summit in Italy made but tiny steps toward setting the stage for December when world leaders gather in Copenhagen under UN auspices to draft a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

G8 Progress: Nay-sayers on the reality of global warming have vanished.

Developing nations were invited to join the discussion.

Obama’s America is now making a respectful, positive contribution.

Developed and developing countries agreed that global temperature must not be allowed to rise more than 2 degrees Celsius above 1900 levels. First world countries accepted responsibility for being the historic cause of the problem. They set themselves a vaguely defined target of reducing emissions by 80% by 2050 suggesting a 50% cut for developing nations.

G8 Failures: The 80% cut in First World emissions by 2050 is a vague aspiration goal and even that one on which Canada has since equivocated. Developing nations rejected the proposed 50 percent cut in their emissions in the absence of an interim 2020 target for major progress on First World cuts. China’s total emissions have only now caught up with those of the United States but China has 4.3 times as many people! Immediately after the summit UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon echoed this need for substantial near-in targets.

Full marks for EU nations acting on the Kyoto base year of 1990 for both their already achieved reductions and for further cuts. America and Canada, with emissions per capita twice those of Europe, seek a much more recent base year so as not to be held accountable for their long delay in getting started. There were no specifics on first world responsibility to fund large-scale technology transfers to facilitate developing nations in curbing emissions.

History: By 2005 the 1997 Kyoto Protocol became a binding agreement with America the only G8 member having failed to ratify.

However, Canada under a Prime

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Minister ideologically aligned with President Bush, was experiencing soaring per capita carbon emissions spurred in significant measure by oil sands development in the PM’s Alberta political heartland. Harper’s excuse for not meeting Canada’s ratified Kyoto commitment was to blame earlier inaction on the part of his Liberal predecessors, an excuse that is no longer relevant in 2009 and beyond. As the annual World Wild Life G8 Climate Scorecard moved from 2008 to 2009 Canada replaced America in last spot while European nations continue to hold the top four ratings. Over 100 heads of state and governments now plan to attend the largest ever meeting of leaders on climate change in September to build momentum going into December in Copenhagen.

The Future: The ball is now clearly in North America’s court.

Obama, with many urgent agendas, must resist those seeking to water down his initiatives to combat global warming. He faces powerful lobbyists and an often dysfunctional Congress as parochial constituency level politics prevail in the run up to 2010 mid term elections. But Canada’s Harper can no longer shelter in the lea of a President Bush’s recalcitrance. Concerned provinces—with the notable exception of Alberta— and Canada’s general public are much further down the environmental road dragging a reluctant Prime Minister.

If Harper is to have any credibility as he hosts the G8 summit in 2010 he must make a major shift on this vital issue, and do so before the Copenhagen gathering in December.

It is my hope that he will not shame his country— my country—on the world stage. Bob Harwood

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Find Feathered Friends

By John Keeling

Influx of Tropical Flycatchers

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ithin the last two years I have seen growing numbers of Social Flycatchers visiting my garden in upper Ajijic. These birds are difficult to distinguish from the commonly occurring ‘Great Kiskadee’ which is well known for its prominent yellow breast and strident kee-ka-deee call. The Social Flycatcher, however, is only two-thirds the size of the Kiskadee, and has olive wings instead of the warm reddish brown flight feathers of the Kiskadee.

I first encountered these birds some four years ago when visiting in Riberas del Pilar. A group of them were noisily chattering away “chee-uk, kachee-kachee-kachee” among the palm trees. They seem to love palm trees.

They are tropical flycatchers occurring year round from southern Brazil to northern Mexico. They eat insects such as bees, spiders and dragonflies, and in season they will also eat fruit and large seeds. They nest here, building one of the most untidy nests you have ever seen.

It is typically made from straw, dry plant stems and even pieces of plastic, in a tree about nine feet off the ground. The entrance to the nest is a short tunnel at the side of the stack of straw.

When I first saw these birds in Riberas near the lake, they never came up the hill as far as my garden. Yet nowadays they visit my neighbor’s palm trees for the seeds

Social Flycatcher photo by Vince Gravel

everyday.

More recently I happened to notice the range map drawn for Social Flycatchers in the essential bird book for Mexico by Howell and Webb, 1995. The map was carefully drawn to go around Lake Chapala, indicating that they were not to be found here. It appears that a change has taken place over the last 15 years. Who knows what caused these flycatchers to expand their range? Wild creatures must always be open to new opportunities to find food, and more suitable places to nest.

Some birds appear more adaptable and more willing to move and relocate than others. As an example, the European house sparrow was introduced to the U.S. in 1850, and is now found wherever there are human habitations.

As another example, the annual Christmas bird counts conducted across North America show many species spending their winter holiday each year a bit further north than before. Over the period 1996 to 2005, the American robin was found 200 miles further north, and the purple finch 400 miles further north. This particular series of relocations is ascribed to rising average winter temperatures over the last ten years. In nature, adaptability is of vital importance.

Editor’s Note: John Keeling and his wife lead ‘Los Audubonistas del Lago,’ which is a loose-knit group of people interested in birds.

To receive notices of events please leave your e-mail address at www. avesajijic.com.

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Wondrous Wildlife

By Vern and Lori Gieger

Wildlife Mexico 911

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pprox. a month ago we received a call from a local orphanage, “Love in Action.” A staff member had rescued a young cacomistle. Not wanting any harm to come to it she brought it to the orphanage to show the children, and called us to rescue and relocate it, which we were happy to do.

The staff members wasted no time, and asked if we would come to the orphanage and give a wildlife educational presentation to children, as there are not many activities for the kids to do. We thought why not that would be great for the kids.

After all it’s summer and most children are having lots of fun enjoying family vacations, etc. However, not so for the children living in local orphanages; they are often forgotten and shunned. We found summer vacation the perfect time for us to visit the local orphanages and do wildlife educational events. It is something special for them to partake in, and extremely rewarding. Not just because the kids were fascinated by the animals, they were very excited to see, hold and touch the animals and learn about them and their habitat.

For some it was the first time they ever seen a wild animal up close, with the exception of the young cacomistle; most of the children asked about the cacomistle. Where did we

release l iit? Was iit a bboy or girl? il Not only did they learn about wildlife and our environment but also, respect and compassion, which unfortunately is something they themselves have sometimes experienced the lack of. It was amazing to see these kids interact with the animals, they were very attentive, listened to the speakers, and asked lots of questions. It was a pleasure to see the appreciation on their faces.

Few of the children had any fear of the animals, but rather curiosity.

They were mesmerized by the snakes and their gentleness. The most popular was of course our big boa St. Jude. Everyone was enamored with her, her size, grace and beautiful colors as she glistened in the sun light.

We donated a framed “ATLAS” poster which features members of the soccer team holding our animals, with a caption promoting the protection of wildlife. Naturally all the kids wanted one, so we donated some unframed posters, which the kids can win by writing an essay about the environment, flora and fauna, why it needs to be protected and preserved and how they can help. Several kids scrambled for their notebooks and pencils!

If you enjoy spending time with kids we recommend this orphanage as well as “Hope House” in Ixtlahuacan. The highlight of our presentation at “Hope House” was a little boy and our turtle; both came out of their shells. The little boy was very timid, afraid of almost everything. He now loves turtles. The sub-director was amazed how the little boy responded.

We believe the majority of these kids now have a new appreciation for nature—even the scary critters.

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CHILD

of the month

By Rich Petersen

Abraham Emiliano Ramírez Rivera

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hile this column has been on hiatus for a couple of months, Niños Incapacitados continues its work and fundraising activities to help reimburse low-income families for medical expenses incurred for their children with life-threatening, chronic diseases. Without our help—and yours—many of these families would be unable to pay for ongoing medications or medical tests and procedures to help their children lead a more normal life.

This bouncy happy guy is oneyear old Albino Trinidad Gaytán Alejandre. Albino is the youngest of four children and lives with his parents and siblings in Ajijic. His Mom, Gabriela is a housewife and Dad, Jose Trinidad, is a mechanic.

As you can see in the photo, Albino’s head is not as big as you would expect for a one-year old. This is an anomaly known as microcephaly. I have written in the past about children born with hydrocephaly whose head size is much bigger than normal; microcephaly is just the opposite--the child’s head at birth is much smaller than normal and concomitantly the brain is much smaller. There is a risk of mental retardation, but not in all children, and many have normal mental development. Causes for this condition are varied, and include: exposure to hazardous chemicals/substances, exposure to radiation, lack of proper vitamins and nutrients in the diet, infection, prescription or illegal drug and alcohol consumption,

d maternal t l di b t N and diabetes.

None off th these factors seems to be present in Albino’s family, however.

Albino’s mother has been diligent in pursuing tests and opinions about her little boy’s condition, and so far it appears that he is progressing well, with no overt signs of mental retardation. In fact, he attends physical and developmental therapy sessions twice weekly at the DIF clinic in Chapala, and his Mom says she has noticed a lot of improvement in just the past two months. Mom has learned several therapy techniques to use at home so Albino doesn’t go one day without the proper stimulation and exercise.

There is no treatment for microcephaly that will return the baby’s head to a normal size or shape. Since microcephaly is a life-long condition that is not correctable, management includes focusing on preventing or minimizing deformities and maximizing the child’s capabilities at home and in the community. Positive reinforcement will encourage the child to strengthen his/her selfesteem and promote as much independence as possible. We’re hopeful Albino will grow and develop as normally as possible.

September means the start of Niños Incapacitados’ regular monthly meetings the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the garden area of La Nueva Posada. Please join us to learn more about the organization, attend a small business meeting, and every month meet in person one of the children we help. Also, look for announcements of upcoming fundraising events. The generosity of our members and friends of the organization is essential to our continued success, and we thank everyone here at Lakeside for their support.

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My Lucky Good Luck Kit

By Bill Franklin

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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 entrenched 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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A NEW LEASE—on Life!

By Judit Rajhathy, B.A., RNCP, D.Ac.

Food Combining and Digestive Health

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good set of bowels is as important as a good set of brains” —Dr. Aubrey Katz, pediatric gastroenterology, Harvard According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, digestive system symptoms are responsible for an estimated 35.9 million office visits annually. This figure includes the 14.5 million US adults diagnosed with ulcers, 7.95 million seeking help for constipation and about 16 million who complain of vague abdominal pains, cramps, and spasms (July 10/09 Medical Economics).

You’ve tried it all – motrin, pep-

List A Proteins All meat All poultry Cheese Eggs Fish Soya Beans Yoghurt

You can still eat the same foods you have always eaten but simply in different combinations.

Why? Due to digestive chemistry!

For instance, protein foods require a highly acidic environment for digestion while carbs (starches and sugars) require a more alkaline medium.

If these foods are mixed they often cause distress. Even rates of diges-

List B Neutral Foods Most vegetables All salads Seeds Nuts Herbs Cream Butter Olive oil

List C Starches Biscuits Bread Cakes Crackers Oats Pasta Potatoes Rice Sugar/Honey Sweets

Mix anything from List A with List B Mix anything from List C with List B Never mix List A and C!

cid, tums, nexium, zantac, antibiotics – for gastrointestinal burning, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation – the list is endless. Of course you have made sure that you are infectant free – no parasites, viruses, bacteria or candidiasis. You have identified and eliminated all food sensitivities and are taking the best yeast probiotic (acidophilus) on the market.

You have had a colonoscopy, barium swallow, enemas, and every other iscopy and oscopy known to mankind, yet you still suffer from unpleasant intestinal issues. Enter the concept of proper food combinations!

According to food combining experts, most of our meals are combined incorrectly – hamburgers, a typical sandwich, meat and potatoes, rice and chicken, yogurt and fruit, and the list goes on. “But that is the way I have eaten ever since I can remember!” You betcha but not without chronic intestinal upset! So here is how it works:

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tion are different. Here are some of the very basic rules of proper food combining Fruit is always eaten alone. The worst thing is eating fruit at the end of a meal because fruit digests very quickly and pushes its way through the rest of the meal that digests more slowly, often causing terrible intestinal gas, bloating and possibly more serious symptoms.

Not only does digestion often improve with these combinations but so do many other symptoms ranging from headaches to skin conditions and decreased allergy symptoms.

Never drink water with meals since it dilutes your own digestive juices.

Keep a good portion of your meals veggies – raw or lightly steamed – and keep dairy products to a minimum. And your Mom was right— chew your foods into liquids!

The only thing left now is adhering to a comprehensive, consistent fitness program. See you at the gym!

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Hearts at Work —A Column by Jim Tipton

“When the Rapture comes, can I have your car?”

S

everal decades ago I read a short poem by James Wright titled, “I Am a Sioux Brave, He Said in Minneapolis.” The poem is contained in the first stanza.

He is just plain drunk.

He knows no more than I do What true waters to mourn for Or what kind of words to sing When he dies.

These lines were written during those decades when it was popular to be at least part Indian. Being at least part-Indian gave you spiritual credibility and got you in bed with lots of liberal young women. I wrote several poems examining this trend, one of which was titled, “Now Everyone Is Writing Poems about Indians,” which was a prose poem that poked fun at that then fashionable obsession.

That poem began: “American po-

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ets stick together. Now they are writing prose poems about Indians. They are tired of cardboard stars in buckets of old milk.” And it continued with lines like, “They sit alone, deep in their rooms, hacking their desks to pieces, looking for poems.” And it ended with “They do not want the darkness. They want to cry “Eureka!”

But suddenly, on stolen ponies, they are pulled back into the darkness.”

Like the Sioux brave sitting in the bar in Minneapolis, we hide behind

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our little religions, our little philosophies, our Jungian psychologies, our alcohol, our drugs, secure that we “know” the “truth,” the “true waters to mourn for” or what kind of words to sing when we die.

Some people of undeveloped intelligence have assumed in the past—beginning at least 2500 years ago—that the world would soon end…usually in their immediate future. “The Rapture” is a belief held by many evangelical Christians that Jesus will soon appear in the sky and that the believers will take on their permanent bodies and rise up to meet him, leaving the vast majority of non-believers to get what they deserve through the devastation that will take place when pilots of planes, engineers of trains, drivers of automobiles are suddenly whisked up to Jesus. A belief held by a small cult?

Sixty-five million copies of the Left Behind books by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye have been sold. Seven of the series have reached #1 on the New York Times best-sellers list.

I remember a bumper sticker popular before the most recent Millennium in Colorado: “When the Rapture comes, can I have your car?” I should write Jenkins and LaHaye, the authors of the Left Behind books, and ask them: “When the Rapture comes,

can I have your bank accounts?”

Various New Age groups currently are promoting the notion that the old Mayan calendar offers wisdom regarding the end of the old cycle and the beginning of the new—to occur in 2012. In fact, we will not see a sudden transformation of human consciousness in 2012. That is a fantasy that we often hear from naive individuals who do not have their personal lives in order, or who worry excessively about life on planet Earth. One internet site announces the current Mayan cycle comes to an end on December 23, 2012, and “Only a few people will survive the catastrophe that ensues.”

Far more helpful to the evolution of the planet is for all of us to commit or re-commit, as Roy Eugene Davis puts it, to “constructive mental attitudes and behaviors” and to spiritual practices that are genuinely useful, such as those suggested by the Center for Spiritual Awareness (www.csadavis.org), whose practices are based upon the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda (who, incidentally, had the highest respect for another great teacher—Jesus Christ).

Jim Tipton

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LABOR DAY —A Historical Perspective

By Jim Cook

O

n Monday, September 7, Americans in the US and abroad will celebrate Labor Day, a holiday with a deeply ironic history. These days, Labor Day typically involves barbecues or trips to the beach with little awareness of the long, bitter struggle to win dignity and a decent standard of living for working people.

The now-taken-for-granted 8-hour day was only won in the US after a bloody 100-year struggle. 19th Century socialists began calling for an 8-hour day as early as 1817 in England. Workers in New Zealand and Australia had won it by the 1850s. In the US, many employers and political conservatives fiercely resisted, claiming that it would result in the death of the free enterprise system. They have made similar claims against every social advance since, including the abolition of slavery, the minimum wage, laws against child labor, equal pay for women, civil rights, and currently, reform of health care.

By the 1880s, the Industrial Revolution was gaining steam. Millions of workers found themselves trapped in dirty, dangerous, and extremely lowpaying jobs for 10-16 hours, 6 days a week. Consequently, labor unions were on the rise as well as strong socialist and anarchist movements which championed the causes of working people.

On May 4, 1886, anarchists and labor leaders in Chicago held a rally at Haymarket Square to explain the concept of the 8-hour day. The rally leaders called for a peaceful assembly and urged against any violence. Suddenly, the police marched against the assembled workers. Someone threw a bomb at the police, killing one and wounding several. There is some evidence that the bomb was a provocation by Pinkerton agents, heavilyarmed thugs used by employers to infiltrate unions and break strikes. The police opened fire, shooting a large number of their own men in the confusion, but also killing or wounding many unarmed civilians.

Hysteria following the violence provided opportunities for political authorities, employers and major newspapers to denounce rally leaders and the 8-hour day. The leaders were arrested, convicted, and six were executed. The international labor movement, which had held world-wide

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protests against the trial, considered them martyrs. Later, Illinois Governor Altgeld pardoned the remaining imprisoned leaders and those executed and called all of the convictions unjust.

To honor the Haymarket martyrs, American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers asked the Socialists’ 2nd International Convention, meeting then in Paris, to set May 1, 1890 as the date for a world-wide general strike in support of the 8-hour day. May 1 has since been celebrated as Labor Day by nearly every country in the world. Mexico wrote the 8-hour day into its 1917 Constitution, and set May 1 as Mexico’s Labor Day. The American martyrs of Haymarket are specifically commemorated in Mexico and throughout the world in these celebrations.

So how did the US Labor Day end up on the first Monday in September?

If you guessed the hand of politics, you’re right. In 1894, workers continued to demand an 8-hour day and other reforms. Conservative Democratic President Grover Cleveland wanted to break a strike in Chicago

by Pullman Railway workers, which had begun in May. He feared infuriating America’s labor movement if he intervened, and wanted to make some gesture which might save the Democrats from working people’s wrath in the fall elections. Declaring a national Labor Day holiday might be just the ticket. However, May 1st was already celebrated in many countries by unionists, socialists, and anarchists.

A good conservative, Cleveland also didn’t want to alienate business

interests. He settled on a September date because some unions in New York City had started holding an informal holiday in that month. Cleveland persuaded Congress, in July 1894, to create an American Labor Day on the first Monday in September. Shortly after Congress passed the holiday and Cleveland signed it, he sent federal troops to break the Pullman strike in Chicago.

Thus Grover Cleveland helped create a long tradition among conservative Democrats: avoid taking any action which might really help working people and instead offer cheap political gestures. As we reach Labor

Day of September 2009 we may be viewing the reaffirmation of this tradition as conservative Democrats and their Republican allies once again attempt to gut real health care reform in favor of band aid solutions that will not overly offend their business constituencies. Will they succeed? The American labor movement is united in demanding real reform. Stay tuned.

(Ed. Note: The author retired to Ajijic after working for 20 years as a union organizer in the Service Employees International Union, and for another ten before that as a community organizer in California, fighting a variety of corporate abuses.)

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SUNLIGHT IN A DEMOCRACY

By Fred Mittag

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h, the inconvenience of sunlight in a democracy that boasts First Amendment freedoms of speech and press. The Freedom of Information Act would seem almost superfluous, but sadly, it’s still not enough.

Even now, I hear people in the news trying to justify our policy of torture by falsely claiming it yielded terrific results—now a thoroughly proven mendacity from which even the inveterate liar Dick Cheney is retreating. But we are still trying to sanitize this evil by calling it “enhanced interrogation.” I think of enhancing the flavor of a dish with seasonings, or enhancing a portfolio with a good investment.

But to “enhance” questioning with pain and panic strikes me as bizarre usage. It’s like saying James Byrd’s 1998 dragging death in Jasper, Texas was enhanced by his killers being white supremacists. Now I’m afraid to enhance the flavor of my soup with salt and pepper, for fear the soup will begin to talk.

Related to this was G.W. Bush’s policy of hiding flag-draped coffins from the press, a policy thankfully revoked by Obama (unless the family objects, and I don’t think many have). But Obama is still a Cheney retrograde in his cover-up of prison abuses by protecting photos held by the Pentagon.

Senator Lindsey Graham said, “Every photo is a bullet for our enemy.” I disagree, and think focus-

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ing on the photos is an effort to set up a straw man. It was every abuse that was a bullet for our enemy.

We now know, even without seeing the photos, that detainee abuse wasn’t an aberration of a “few bad apples,” as we were told, but that it was a systemic result of policy.

Hiding the photos doesn’t undo the abuse. And our enemies know about the abuse with or without photos, and they use it in their recruiting. In the meantime, there is a steady chipping at the First Amendment and the Freedom of Information Act, not to mention a failure of justice with regard to the detainees.

Information available to the public has the potential to shape policy, as happened to our government from the growing antiwar protests during the Vietnam era.

That’s why Bush didn’t want us to see the caskets coming home from Iraq. It’s why Obama doesn’t want us to see the photos of detainee abuse. And it’s why the Chinese Communists use filters to protect their people from information available on the Internet.

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LOCAL SYNAGOGUE

By Alison Solomon

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fter two years of bringing in guest Rabbis to conduct High Holiday services, this year the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation will be running everything themselves. “As our community has grown, we have become a magnet for Jews who want to live in Mexico but don’t want to lose their Jewish connection. As a result, we now have several knowledgeable folks here who can manage all aspects of our community rituals,” says Elliott Gould, LCJC President.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, begins on Friday September 18th. There will be a full schedule of services on the 18th, 19th and 20th. Yom Kippur will begin on the evening of September 27th. As is customary with all temples and synagogues, attendees will need to either be members or purchase guest tickets in advance to attend.

The amount folks pay for an an-

nual membership at LCJC works out to 50 pesos a week, which local churchgoers say is the amount they generally put in the weekly collection baskets.

Services this year will be facilitated by Alison Solomon, with participation by many other members.

Since attendees come from a variety of backgrounds, Alison attempts to accommodate both those with a traditional leaning as well as those who prefer a more contemporary style. www.lakechapalajews.com.

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AWARDS LUNCHEON ANNOUNCEMENT The 15th Annual Ojo del Lago’s Literary Awards Luncheon will be held this year at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 22 at the Ajijic Tango restaurant, located at #5 Morelos (Colon) in Ajijic. All writers who contributed to our pages over this past year are cordially invited and encouraged to bring a guest. We shall also issue invitations to special guests, but must stipulate that because of the local recession, no one who does not fall into these two categories will be admitted.

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As always, there shall be food and drink, entertainment and the awards ceremony. This year we shall be awarding handsomely-framed scrolls to the winners in nine categories, as well as to a highly-valued member of our office staff.

The Awards Luncheon has become a tradition here at Lakeside and is the Tingen Family’s way of expressing its gratitude to the writers who have contributed so much to the success of our publication.

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PAW PRINTS ON MY HEART

By Gudrun Jones, Co-Founder & President of the Lakeside Spay & Neuter Center

E E

veryone who has dogs would like for them to be well trained and well behaved. I too would like that but to be very honest my brood seems to have acquired the German stubbornness by osmosis and fall into the category “I come when it suits me, sit when I want to, but I will be there for dinner.

I know that dog behavior problems can be solved; all it takes is patience and understanding. I do know a few things about dog training, for instance you should never call a dog to come to you to be punished; your dog will think he/she is being punished for coming to you. When called, the perfectly trained dog should stop what he is doing, run to you and sit in front of you.

But it can be done…if you have the time and the patience. Put your dog on a four to six foot leash; take several swift steps backward as you guide the dog to you with a treat held at his nose level. When the dog is in front of you, stop and raise the treat up slightly, causing the dog to sit, then give him/her the treat. After a few practice sessions do this while standing in place rather then backing up. Then eliminate guiding with food and switch to simply giving the command.

Almost all dogs fear thunderstorms. I too dislike storms but for a different reason. It is very unpleasant to have sixteen bundles of fur pile on top of you and pant and slobber all over you. So when a storm approaches I put my husband’s old T-shirts on the big dogs and children size T-shirts on the small ones, knot them at their waist and it will calm them down and give me a chuckle.

Dogs like to jump up on people, but not every visitor will be happy with your dog’s exuberant greeting.

This is simple—all you have to do is make your dog understand that all four paws need to be on the ground. When the dog jumps on you ignore him/her.

No petting, no scolding, or looking at the dog, but when he gets of you, toss a treat and give praise. In no time at all your dog will know—feet on the floor means treat and praise.

Digging is one of those things dogs think is neat. My dogs constantly show me where they think a rosebush should be planted and dig the hole for me. But that too can be mastered with patience and understanding and time.

To begin with, do not leave your dog in the yard unsupervised. If your dog gets ready to dig, engage him/her in something fun to do, fetch, tug etc. make him/her associate the yard with fun activities that have nothing to do with digging. Continue this ritual until the dog can be trusted to be alone for several minutes. Often digging is a sign of boredom so you might want to leave a chew bone for the dog, or toys or…you could always come to the dog ranch and get him/her a companion.

Dog of the month: “Rocket.” For more information on our “Marvelous Mutts”call: Gudrun Jones 766-3813

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FALLS ( Part III )

By J. M. B J Manuel M l Cordova, C d M D. D

F

rom the time we are born and first start to walk, we experience falls. Then, life parody comes again as we grow older and experience falls in a more serious way. You’ve heard the saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

When it comes to Falls, ‘Prevention’ is definitely the key!

What can you do?

Have a Strategy First, you must have self-conviction and knowledge of the real situation to accept the potential risk.

Next, conduct a thorough screening of your exposure. Create a plan: Use assistive device (cane, walker, etc.)

Review current medications with qualified specialist Exercise Evaluate home safety Know How to Fall If you feel yourself falling, ‘think fast.’ Resisting the fall some-

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times will result in a more serious injury. If you allow yourself to fall, it may be less of a strain on your body. It’s impossible to say exactly what to do. Each circumstance is unique.

Try to ease the fall by using your hands or arms. Your fall may still result in an injury, but hopefully, not serious.

When your lower extremity is injured, you are more likely to be immobilized; however, head, back and neck injuries can result in very serious consequences and require extensive rehabilitation time.

Exercise Proper exercise can help maintain a better sense of balance.

Stand on one leg, opposite leg bent at the knee, arms stretched out to the side, body straight. Hold for 10 seconds, and then change legs. Repeat 10 times. Pretend you’re on a

balance beam. Walk a very straight line, turn and continue for several minutes. Try not to look down.

Dancing is a great exercise to help balance, not to mention fun. Water aerobics is very good if you have access to a pool.

There are several yoga positions that are excellent for balance, depending on your physical capabilities. Stretching and light weights is a good workout to use at home.

Diet and Nutrition Proper Diet and Nutrition are key elements in maintaining overall good health. The key vitamins and amino acids that impact the brain to stimulate your sense of balance are B6, B complex, C, E, Beta Carotene, Choline (P-Choline), Inositol, and Cysteine.

Mineral supplementation with Zinc, Magnesium, Boron, Selenium, Folic Acid, and Coenzyme Q10 are also good.

Daily, drink a lot of water and limit alcohol consumption to no more than three ounces.

(Note: Not all supplements are good or necessary for your body.

Some could even cause physical instability if taken in conjunction with certain other supplements or medications.)

Proper Accessories Wearing the right shoes is essential, inside and outside the home. A nice walking shoe with laces and good arch support are the best. The feet (and arches) carry our weight and perform heavy duty work on a daily basis. A foot massage now and then could help a lot.

The cobblestone streets in the lakeside area are extremely difficult to walk on. Anyone at any age would find them difficult. Try using a walking cane/stick when walking outside.

A ‘Hip Protector’ is also an option for preventive treatment and

might lessen an injury to your hip.

A recent study showed hip fractures reduced by 75% for people wearing a hip protector. This protection may also improve self-confidence and help reduce the fear of falling. mdjmcordova1204@yahoo. com (376) 766-2777 (Ed. Note: J. Manuel Cordova is a practicing Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Specialist who also specializes in Chelation Therapy/ Wellness/Anti-Aging/Hormone Replacement. He is a full-time resident of Lakeside.)

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GRINGAS & GUACAMOLE

By Gail Nott

Mechanic Ally Challenged

I

am not sure if it is because we are mechanically challenged or we are unprepared for the intricacies of living in Mexico but nothing works like we think it should. I am getting so paranoid, I look at a safety pin with skepticism.

The recent windstorm blew out the pilot light on my continuous hot water heater. After looking and poking for half and hour, I humbled myself and called a friend for assistance. “Could you come over and light my hot water heater?”

“It’s easy, just push in the red knob and put a match to the pilot light.”

“There is no red knob and which little stem is the pilot light?”

Now there are two of us looking and poking at the front of the heater. The directions are printed in Spanish; there is a gray knob displaying hieroglyphics and three little stems sticking up inside a small, dark bale. Another half hour of pushing, pulling, lighting, relighting and expressing fears of getting blown up,’ magically we did. Get blown-up! Sans some eyebrows, lashes and a bit of fringe at the hairline, we once again peered into the small, dark bale. The pilot light was lit. Haven’t the vaguest idea how. I’ll worry about it the next time it blows out.

“I need to change the message on my answering machine, how do I do it?” Without seeing the machine, I respond, “Push the button that says record.

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“Will you call my number in ten minutes and make sure it sounds OK?” “Sure.” True to my word, I make the call and after the message, I endure two minutes of dead air waiting for the beep.

“You must have done something wrong. No one calling from the U.S. is going to pay for two minutes of silence.”

“Tell me exactly what you did.”

“I hit that little button, picked up the receiver and spoke into it” “Why did you pick up the receiver?”

“Well, what else am I going to talk into?”

“Why didn’t you hang up after stating your message?”

“I was waiting for a beep.”

“Look at your answering machine, see an area with little holes?

That is a microphone. Hit the little button, state your message and hit the button again. Got it?”

“Yeah, but I still don’t understand how it is going to know when to go beep!”

I can appreciate that no one is

going to outwardly acknowledge they have been this stupid, but those slight smiles are a giveaway.

Friends and family visiting from the North aren’t immune. “Come quick, gas is filling the kitchen.”

“What did you do?” “I turned on the stove and the knob fell off in my hand.” “What the hell did you turn the stove on for?” “I wanted a cup of tea.” “What do you think the microwave is for?”

The knob would not fit back in the hole and the house was filling with gas. Pliers jammed in the hole to turn the stem didn’t work, and the stove had been cemented to the floor prohibiting me from sliding it out to locate a shut off valve. Lee Ann’s frantic call to the gas company was met with the response that they would come out in a day or two.

She almost slapped me when I knowingly laughed at her expression of disbelief.

I was beginning to envision Puerto Vallarta missing from future maps of Mexico. OK I eventually figured out that I had to turn off the gas valve for the entire property. Lee Ann did not go near

the stove again for the rest of her visit.

There is no doubt in my mind that nature and Mexican repairmen are in cahoots. I don’t care how smart you think you are, you aren’t. “Jesus, the señora’s doorbell is not working. Could you come see where the connection is broken?” I followed him down the wall as he checked that each connection was still wrapped with Scotch tape. I even broke down and double-checked that the damn thing was plugged into a socket.

“Señora, you must some quick and bring Raid.”

“Jesus, please, just fix the doorbell. I’ll call the exterminator later.” Walking into the kitchen, Jesus removed the cover on the doorbell mechanism and laid it on the counter. Thousands of ants spilled out onto my counters and floor. I performed a variation of the salsa trying to step on as many ants as possible “Jesus, why in the hell did you bring it in the house?”

With a slight smile, he fished a business card out of his wallet.

His cousin is an exterminator. Go figure!

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Th The he Microcosm Mic crocosm o off a N Nation atio on Orr The The C Curious urious Case Case eo off E Elie lie e Wiesel Wiessel

By Jim Muir tenir cui“H aydadoqueal elegir a los

H

enemigos porque uno termina pareciandose a ellos.”

If any individual could symbolize the psychic and moral disconnection that is reflected by the words and actions of the Zionists who comprise the vast majority of the Jewish Israeli population today, it would have to be Elie Wiesel.

Born in 1928 in Romania, Elie and his family were shipped off to German concentration camps in 1944. Only Elie survived, and in 1945 he was liberated. His first book, “Night,” contained possibly the most emotive and chilling descriptions ever written of the effect of the camps on the human soul and psyche. He thereafter dedicated his life to combating the recurrence of such horrors. The consistent theme underlying his many writings is the moral responsibility of all people to fight hatred, racism and genocide.

As a result of his energetic pursuit of this objective, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and was appointed Chairman of the President’s Commission on the Holocaust, an activity that led to the creation of the museum in Washington D.C. His stated attitude towards the Holocaust is best reflected by his comment that “… to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all …”

Yet, when it comes to the sixty year history of ethnic cleansing; dispossession; torture; incarceration without trial; destruction of homes, orchards and vineyards; assassinations and pervasive economic deprivation and humiliation of the Palestinian people by Israel, Wiesel has been described by one observer as “the noted apostle of the obligation of silence in the face of atrocities by the state he loves.”

In short, the moral responsibility to fight hatred, racism and genocide stops at the border of Israel/Palestine. The “greatest sin” of remaining silent is there’s not a sin.

How can someone so seemingly imbued with moral outrage at hatred, racism and genocide remain silent while a state whose interests he tirelessly promotes pursues

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such brutal policies – all grounded in hatred, racism and the desire to achieve removal of all members of the targeted ethnic group from the state of Israel?

Wiesel’s silence is perhaps reflective of his own inner sense of self-betrayal, betrayal of his oftrepeated moral code. He and his brethren in Israel have decided that their own security, given the long history of the treatment of Jews, lies solely in the creation of an ethnocratic state stripped of foreign elements and encompassing as large a land mass as possible. The fact that such a decision requires the abandonment of self-proclaimed moral values vis a vis non-Jews is an acceptable compromise. But admitting this truth about themselves would deprive them of the moral high ground to which they assiduously make claim through the creation of Holocaust museums and a plethora of writings on the subject of the Shoah.

Have Israelis now become their pre-1945 enemy? Is there a distinction between Hitler’s treatment of the Jews and Israelis’ treatment of Palestinians? Perhaps only in one respect: Israelis do not presently contemplate killing all Palestinians.

They simply provoke situations that allow them to “justify” killing as many as necessary to achieve the desired objective of having the survivors either expelled from the land or imprisoned within walled, economically nonviable enclaves. But is it really less heinous to be subjected to a slow death of deprivation and despair than to die at once?

(Ed. Note: We welcome opposing views to this article. It has always been our policy to elicit strong and honest debate.)

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Loss Of What!?

By Jim Rambo rammymex@yahoo.com

W

hen I wasn’tt in the court-h room with d judges and juries, I would sometimes act as an arbi-trator of civil cases. Gener-ally the cases took about an n hour or two and the pay wass $300.00. I was on the statee payroll and so the extra mon-ey came in handy. I heard about one such case every month and enjoyed playing judge for a change.

I scheduled one memorable arbitration during a lunch hour in plaintiff’s counsel’s office. It involved a rear-end collision. The plaintiff, who appeared to be about 85 years old, was a soft-spoken, tall gentleman, represented by counsel. His wife, also an octogenarian, sat next to him during the hearing. The defendant, who had hit the elderly couple from behind, sat across the office with counsel for his insurer. As the arbitrator, I sat behind an oak desk in a leather swivel chair.

As expected, the plaintiff was led by counsel through the facts of the collision. The defendant had been charged by police with inattentive driving and had already pled guilty to the charge in a magistrate’s court.

For purposes of the arbitration only, defense counsel stipulated to his client’s liability. That left the matter before me as a decision on damages only.

It was a typical whiplash case, with the plaintiff suffering from shoulder and neck pain. He had been treated for nine months by a local chiropractor. After all the evidence was submitted, I gathered the exhibits and announced that I would reserve my decision.

I adjourned the hearing. Defense counsel and his client hurried away, followed by the Andrews, shuffling out quietly. None of the attorneys was able to look at me.

I made a decision on Mr. Andrews’ claim within minutes. However, I pondered his wife’s claim for several days. How could I put a dollar figure on the sweet little old lady’s claim that she couldn’t have her husband “in positions no more.”

Finally, I awarded her $7,500, hoping all the while that I might one day, years hence, understand the exact value of her complaint.

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At that point, the plaintiff’s fraillooking wife stood up, clearly agitated, and announced, “Wait a minute.

I have a complaint too!” Plaintiff’s counsel, who had been staring at the ceiling, shyly added, “Yes, Mrs. Andrews would like to state her loss of consortium claim briefly, if you will allow it.” I quickly agreed.

“Mrs. Andrews,” I smiled. “Just tell us the exact nature of your claim.

How has this accident affected you, as Mr. Andrews’ wife?”

She shook her head, bit her tongue, and in a thin voice, began. “Well, sir.

Before the accident, Mr. Andrews just fine as a man. But now, and I know he’ll forgive me for saying, he can’t do it in positions no more. You know, the sex things, sir.” With that, she quickly sat back down.

Her lawyer, a jokester of sorts, was again staring at the ceiling. Having been caught by surprise and wondering if this was a Candid Camera stunt, I thumbed through the exhibits, trying not to laugh or smile. When I had composed myself, I looked at the tiny lady staring directly at me.

“Well, thank you very much, Mrs. Andrews. If there is no cross examination, I will factor your claim into my decision.”

Grinning, defense counsel declined my offer.

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The Ojo Crossword

ACROSS 1 Recess 5 Afloat (2 wds.)

10 Barrel 13 Light color 15 Revolve 16 Possessive pronoun 17 Noble 18 Savage 19 Boxer Muhammad 20 Snacked 21 Factual 23 State capital 25 Bowed stringed instrument 26 Spa for overweight well-to-do people (2 wds.)

28 Suck up 31 Shoe projection 32 Way 33 “Mister” (German) 34 Stake 37 Bare 38 Creed 40 Past times 41 South southeast 42 Superman’s Ms. Lane 43 ___acid 44 Automaton 45 Walking aid 46 Stronghold 49 Scent 50 Heron 51 Welcome rugs 52 Eastern Time 55 Good day 56 Crawling vines 59 Troika 61 Government agency 62 Moses’ mountain 63 Asian country 64 Limited (abbr.)

65 Arm extensions 66 Grounds

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El Ojo del Lago September 2009

DOWN 1 Father 2 Fuel 3 Father 4 Self 5 Fine 6 Formal “you” 7 Mr. 8 Epoch 9 Entirely outstanding performers (2 wds.)

10 Kangaroo bear 11 Swiss mathematician 12 Fairy Tale writing brothers 14 Whole 22 Knock off 24 Furthest back 25 Select 26 Bolted 27 Air (prefix) 28 Torso extensions 29 Bucks wives 30 Safe 31 __of drawers 34 Flee 35 Little Mermaid’s love 36 High __ 38 Baseball player Ty 39 Mob activity 40 Not mine 42 Oafish 43 Frigid 44 Seafood 45 Central daylight time 46 Revolt 47 African country 48 Horror 49 Fertile desert area 51 Alcoholic beverage 52 Writer Bombeck 53 Dreamer 54 Incline 57 Travel term 58 Hotel 60 __ you! (attention getter)

Have Walker, Will Travel

By Mildred Boyd

A

lthough Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, getting there is not easy.

When Lizz, Judy, walker and I essayed the trip, it took two days. There were layovers in Mexico City and Panama City before we finally reached Quito, too late to catch the last plane to our final destination.

It was a hard journey for me even with the help of my two ladies-in-waiting and everyone else I encountered. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised and duly grateful at the courtesy and helpfulness of airline employees and, especially, by the kindness and consideration of my fellow travelers.

As before, I took my walker to the door of the airplane and had it back as soon as we disembarked. I was assigned an aisle seat in the first row of each plane to minimize the distance I had to walk without help and never had to stand in the long lines through immigration and customs. Neither did my daughters. We were sought out, courteously escorted to a special gate for the handicapped and ushered through with a wave. People made way for me with heartwarming smiles and, if I stumbled, total strangers steadied me and offered help.

In spite of all this coddling, I was happy to fall into bed in the charming colonial mansion that was our hotel. I was still a little dragged out next morning but a lot of coffee and a visit to the National Anthropological Museum in Quito perked me up considerably. The museum is multi-storied but there is a small elevator to whisk people like me from floor to floor.

Since Ecuador was once part of the Inca Empire, there were many artifacts from that culture but most of the exhibits were devoted to the little known, indigenous peoples of the area. I was particularly impressed by the col-

lection of magnificent, many-stranded necklaces. Some were elegant creations of gold and jade fit for an Emperor. My favorites, however, were the charming ones composed of shell, bone, obsidian, pretty pebbles and exotic seeds of every description. These were obviously made and worn by the common people.

Our late afternoon flight arrived in Cuenca while there was still enough light to appreciate the beauty of the city and the splendor of its mountain setting.

The streets were wide, amazingly clean and smoothly paved which augured well for my being able to get around easily with my walker.

Our destination was the apartment Judy and Allen had purchased on an earlier trip. I had seen pictures of the mountain stream it faces but heavy rains in the mountains had turned the babbling brook I expected into a raging torrent. That and that the apartment was quite luxurious are about my only memories.

Changes in atmospheric pressure and severe dehydration finally caught up with me and all I could do was sleep for several days. Next time I’ll tell you what I saw when I finally woke up.

a

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

News

September 2009

From the President I want to take this opportunity to clarify a couple of misunderstandings that are circulating in the community. The first is, the proposed re-structuring at LCS involves hiring a new full-time employee, the Executive Director. Not true! This position will be part time, 30 hours per week. The plan is to move Terry Vidal into this position, capitalizing on his 20 years + of experience managing non-profits. At the same time, Terry will train another, current employee, to assume some of the Office Administrator’s present duties, increasing her current 25 hour/wk position to a 30 hour/wk position. The net change to our employee count is zero, and to the budget, 10 hours per week - 5 additional hours for the Office Administrator and five additional hours for the Executive Director.

Concerning the budget, a significant savings (184K pesos), in annual wages are being realized due to the reduction in the LCS workforce made last fall, even with the addition of a part time bilingual Office Administrator. The increase in membership dues instituted, at about the same time, has allowed only a 2000 peso difference between the budgeted and actual membership dues collected so far this year ($230,500 pesos budgeted vs $228,500 collected by the end of July). As expected, due to the recession, the actual number of LCS members has dropped 16% from last year’s figure (As I write this, we have about 3,200 members).

The bottom line, revenue from membership dues has remained the same. The result, LCS is in much better financial shape now than we were at this time last year.

Let me take a moment to announce that Rick Feldmann has resigned as Senior Director of Finance due to needing more time for his U.S. business. At the August board meeting, we sadly accepted Rick’s resignation and approved Roger Borg as the new Senior Director of Finance. Roger has been the LCS volunteer Treasurer for nearly a year and will also continue to wear that hat as long as he indicates he can fulfill both roles. Thank you Rick for your excellent past leadership and service to LCS! And welcome Roger!

In the previous LCS newsletter, page 2, the word “adopt” also caused some misunderstanding. The simple fact is that the board passed a motion supporting the new structure pending approval by the membership at the upcoming Extraordinary Membership Meeting on October 14. Let me make it perfectly clear that without that official approval, in the form of a vote by LCS members, the new structure will not go forward. The current structure of LCS would then continue and the offices for which candidates would be nominated at that October 14 meeting would be the same ones as are now in place with the current board of directors. Only if the membership votes in favor of the new structure will the proposed changes be made.

Speaking of the election, I also want to announce that the information packets for candidates are now available inside the LCS office and on our web site at: www.lakechapalasociety.org. I encourage any interested LCS member to read the information, fill out the form and turn it in to the Audit Committee (in the Services Office) before October 1st. It’s very important for the future of LCS that we have excellent choices for each office on the ballot for the election in December.

-------- Nancy Creevan

74

El Ojo del Lago September 2009

LCS

News

September 2009

Library News

LCS - Spanish Classes Fall 2009

July Fiesta - “Couldn’t have pulled it off without the greatest team of volunteers - on either side of the border. Their generosity of spirit, sharing of their fine minds, compassion for our readers and willingness to do the manual labor that books require was most touching. Each book had to be looked at, cleaned off, a decision made as to where it should be placed ... I was deeply moved Friday night as I turned off the lights and closed the Sala door looked like an acre of books all neatly lined up and well presented.

Our sales totaled about $4,300 pesos - and that’s at 5 & 10 pesos per book.” - Brenda Dawson (Co-Chair, Library Committee)

Remaining 2009 Sessions Session 3 - Begins week of September 7th, ends week of October 19th.

Session 4 - Begins week of November 2nd, ends week of December 14th.

Classes Offered* Conversation $150 pesos/month. Begins first Saturday in September at LCS. (Saturday - 11:00 to 12:30, or 1:00 to 2:30)

The Library Committee • Brenda Dawson (Co-Chair) • Susana Douglas • Chuck Giles • Hebina Hood (Co-Chair) • Martin Inwood • Patti Orsinger The Library Committee is undertaking great efforts to produce a user friendly reference guide for both the circulation and work room volunteers.

An upcoming inventory is planned and we are trying to catch up with all of the outstanding late fees. Please return your books on time!

From our reader’s “Wish List,” following is a list of purchased books that have just arrived and will appear on the “New Arrivals” shelves as soon as they are processed.

A smattering of New Arrivals Beyond Belief by V.S. Naipaul The Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel by Elle Newmark The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs Danzig Passage by Bodie & Brock Thoene Gable and Lombard by Warren Harris Handle with Care: A Novel by Jodi Picoult The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent The Individual in a Social World by Stanley Milgram Jerusalem Interlude by Bodie & Brock Thoene Kieron Smith, Boy by James Kelman Love in the Second Act by Alison Leslie Gold Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman Munich Signature by Bodie Thoen & Brock Thoene The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher Old Man’s War by John Scalzi On the Rez by Ian Frazier Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell Prague Counterpoint by Bodie & Brock Thoene Red Sky in Mourning by Tami Oldham Ashcraft

Introductory Spanish For those with no background in Spanish. $150 pesos. In the LCS Gazebo (Thursday - 12:00 - 1:30) Level 1: Power Verbs (Monday and Wednesday - 11:00 to 12:30, or 1:00 to 2:30) $600 pesos/session Level 2: Preterit Regular verbs & Object Pronouns (Tuesday and Thursday - 11:00 to 12:30, or 1:00 to 2:30) $600 pesos/session Level 3: Preterit Irregular Verbs & Object Pronouns (Wednesday and Friday 5:00 to 6:30 (at LCS)) $600 pesos/session Level 4: Imperfect & Minor Tenses (Friday 11:00 to 2:30) $600 pesos/session Level 5: Present & Past Subjunctive (Friday 11:00 to 2:30) $600 pesos/session *Course fees do not include class materials.

CHECK OUT ALL THE CHANGES IN OUR VIDEO CLUB NEW DVD TITLES ABOUND!

DON’T FORGET SEPTEMBER 16, LCS IS CLOSED OBSERVING MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY WHEN IN 1810, MIGUEL HIDALGO DELIVERED EL GRITO DE DOLORES, AND ANNOUNCED THE MEXICAN REVOLT AGAINST SPANISH RULE.

Flu shots available during October Health week (13th-16th) Sign-up required in the LCS Services Office. 300 pesos each. Register by September 30th. This is a below market cost available only at LCS.

Get Ready! A new dance class entitled “Contra Dance Basics” coming in October

More than 50 Reasons to be an LCS member can be found on our web site under Merchant Discounts!

Restaurants; Car care; Beauty; Health aids and other bargains galore!

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75

LCS

News MONTHLY SCHEDULED EVENTS LCS Board Meeting: 2nd Wednesday at 11:30 LCS Office, Information desk, library and video library Monday thru Saturday 10 - 2 • 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 Insurance Information • BUPA Medical Ins. – Friday, 10:30 - 12:30 • NY Life Insurance – Tuesday & Thursday, 11 - 2 Other Information • 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 • 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 - 4th Thursday, 2 - 4 • Gamblers Anonymous - Wednesday, 3 - 4:30 • Geneology - last Monday, 2 - 4 • Green Group - 1st Tuesday, 3 - 5 • Mah Jongg - Friday, 10 - 2 • It Is What It Is - Thursday, 12 - 1 • Needlepushers - Tuesday, 10 - 12 • Neill James Lecture Series - Thursday, 12 - 2 • Open Circle - Sunday, 10 - 12 • Scrabble Group - Monday, 12 - 2 • Tournament Scrabble - Tuesday, 12 - 2 • Quilt Guild - 2nd Tuesday, 10 -12 • Women’s Writing Group - Wednesday, 2 - 4 • Write Your own Story - Monday, 4 - 6 Other Stuff • ACA Fresh Veggies – Available Daily on the Patio

NOTE: Times and offerings are subject to change.

Check with the LCS office if you have questions.

76

El Ojo del Lago September 2009

September 2009 Strategic Planning Open work sessions have been occurring Tuesdays (and some Fridays) hammering out the elements of the strategic planning process. Participation has averaged over 15 people, from active volunteers, current, past and presumably future board members, newbies and external stakeholders. By mid September we hope to put forward the fruit of our efforts.

Meet in the Sala at 2 - 3:30. Our activities can be monitored at www.lakechapalasociety.org/strategic.htm.

New Radio Program for Expats!

According to producer Paul East Raza, an experimental program called "Express 58 Ajijic on the Air," is broadcast every Friday night, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on radio station 580 AM. Aided by Alma Chavez, Tod Jonson and Ektor Carranza, says Raza, this is the first English program in Mexico. The public service hour is full of local announcements, health advice, music, and interviews of interest to all Lakesiders. Don't miss it!

ACA Eco Talks resume every TUESDAY In the Gazebo 12:00 to 2:00 Eco Talks & Food discussions & demos are open to the public. Please register in advance at LCS Office Sept. 1 Mad about Tea-Taste Testing Herbal Tea blends & Fruity Iced Teas Sept. 8 Rancho Chimalli- Engaging in social ecological action by Xill Fessenden Sept. 15 Food Demo: Add some Spice - Demonstration Blend culinary herbs & Tasting Sept. 22 Healthy Product Discussion of “Health Fads and Products”: Colloidal Silver, Chia, Vitamins, Raw Food and other new lifestyle diet trends.

Sept. 29 Food Demo: Cooking with Greens & Herbs in sauces stews and soups. Demo and Tasting, of sensational savory & sweet butters for grilling & stir-fry Questions email us at acaecotalks@gmail.com LCS FILMS Thursday the 10th and Thursday the 24th at 2PM in the Sala. Titles to be announced. Anyone who wants advance notice and reviews of upcoming films to be shown at the LCS should send me their e-mail address and name. marshallallenkrantz@yahoo.com

LCS

News

September 2009

VOLUNTEER

The LCS Board of Directors invites volunteers and a guest to: Volunteer Potluck Picnic on the Neil James Patio Sunday, September 13th from 2pm to 5pm.

(Please enter through the back gate) LCS will provide the burgers & buns and the LCS kitchen has sodas, potato chips, tortilla chips, pickles, catsup & mustard etc., but we need you to bring the good stuff like salads and desserts.

We will be recognizing all of you and giving out awards including a “Volunteer of the Year” Award so please come and have some fun with your fellow volunteers!! Also, please wear your LCS name tag.

Please RSVP to Mary Ann Waite, 766-1436 or e-mail mawaite7815@yahoo.com on or before September 8th.

KUDOS to LCS and Javier Ibarra who has been attending LCS sponsored classes at The Wilkes Education Center now for six years. In 2003 he began regularly attending classes in English. One year later he began basic computer training at WEC. While attending both English and computer classes, Javier attended college at the University of Guadalajara. He is due to graduate next year with a degree in journalism.

LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY 16 de Septiembre #16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco LCS Main Office: 766-1140 www.lakechapalasociety.org Office and services open Monday – Friday, 10 to 2 and Saturday 10 to 2 Grounds are open until 5

LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Nancy Creevan Vice-President - Open Secretary - Mary Ann Waite Sr. Director 1 for Buildings & Grounds - Kenneth Caldwell Sr. Director 2 for Finance - Roger Borg Sr. Director 3 for Services & Activities - Karen Schirack LCS Education Director - Mary Alice Sargent Business Office Administrator - Terry Vidal THE LCS NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION. NEWS ITEMS OR CORRECTIONS MAY BE LEFT AT THE LCS OFFICE OR EMAILED TO BINKCALDWELL @YAHOO.COM NOTE: THE EDITORIAL STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO COMPLETE EDITING PRIVILEGES. ARTICLES AND/OR CALENDAR EVENTS WILL BE INCLUDED ACCORDING TO TIME, SPACE AVAILABILITY AND EDITORIAL DECISION ON THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR LCS CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB SITE WWW.LAKECHAPALASOCIETY.ORG

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Service

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

www.tel.chapala.com

DIRECTORY * BARBER SHOP

ADVERTISING

* CONSIGNMENT SHOP

- EL LAGO BAR-BERIA

- EL OJO DEL LAGO Tel: 765-3676

Pag: 63

- SUZY’S CONSIGNMENT SHOP Tel: 766-5458

Pag: 39

- ACUARIO REPUBLICA Cell: (045) 333 441 3563 Pag: 36 - ANIMAL CARE Tel: 766-3062 Pag: 65 - DEE’S PET CARE Tel: 762-1646 Pag: 73 - LAKESIDE SPAY & NEUTER CENTER, A.C. Tel: 766-0821 - PET SHOP Pag: 57 - SALUD ANIMAL Tel: 766-1009 Pag: 75

* ART GALLERIES/HANDCRAFTS - ANA ROMO Tel: 766-0955 Pag: 22 - ARATI Tel. 766-0130 Pag: 32 - ARTE FACTO Cell: (045) 33 3171 0887 Pag: 49 - BELVA & ENRIQUE VELAZQUEZ Tel. 766-0162 Pag: 67 - CATHY CHALVIGNAC Tel: 766-5381 Pag: 50 - CHAMEE Tel (33) 3636-4670 Pag: 37 - DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683 Pag: 60 - EL PALOMAR Tel: 01 (33) 3635-5247 Pag: 60 - REBECCA FORD Pag: 70 - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: 765-5097 Pag: 09, 12, 30, 54

- AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS Tel: 766 - 4973, Cell: (045) 33-3157- 6536 Pag: 30

- ANGEL ESTRADA Tel: 766-4666 - EMU OIL Tel: 765-2233 - MARY KAY Tel: 765-7654

Pag: 55 Pag: 36 Pag: 76

* BED & BREAKFAST - CASA DEL SOL Tel: 766-0050

Pag: 33

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

* DENTISTS

Pag: 17

- CABO DO MUNDO - INTERIOR DESIGN Tel: 766-0026 Pag: 21

* BOUTIQUE / CLOTHING STORES Pag: 21 Pag: 30, 75 Pag: 37 Pag: 53

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

Pag: 06

- 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 - DR. TONY FLORES Tel: 763 0448

- LAKE CHAPALA BAPTIST CHURCH Tel: 765-2925 Pag: 73, 75

- EXPERT CLEANERS Tel: 766-4677 - TODO LIMPIO Tel: 766-0395

Pag: 48 Pag: 25

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

Pag: 69

* COMPUTING SERVICES Pag: 21

Pag: 49

78

Pag: 54

* HEALTH Pag: 10

Pag: 07

* HEARING AIDS Pag: 20 Pag: 08

- GUADALAJARA AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES Cell. (045) 33-1511-4088 Pag: 77

Pag: 74

* HOME APPLIANCES

Pag: 11

Pag: 18 Pag: 23

* FLOWER SHOP

Pag: 76

- CRISANTEMO ROJO Tel: 766-4030

Pag: 36

- FUMIGA

- HYPNOSIS AUDA HAMMETT Pag: 12, 16, 64, 69, 73, 74 - VIRGIN COCONUT OIL Tel.: (33) 3343 5676 Pag: 76

Pag: 27

- INTERCAM Tel: 766-5978 Pag: 59 - LAKESIDE FINANCIAL ADVISOR DAVID LESNICK CFP CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Fax: 001(623) 327-1277 Pag: 16 - LAKESIDE MORTGAGE CONSULTANTS Tel: 766-2914 Pag: 50

- CHANGE OF PACE Tel: 766-5800 - STAND BIKE Tel: 765-6271

Pag: 74

Pag: 15

Pag: 71

* FUMIGATION

El Ojo del Lago September 2009

Pag: 23

- FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440 Pag: 82

* FINANCIAL SERVICES

* BAZAR Pag: 25

Pag: 41 Pag: 15

Pag: 19

* FITNESS CENTER

Pag: 53

* BAKERY

Pag: 32

* HARDWARE STORES

Pag: 62

- AJIJIC COMPUTING Tel: 765-4156 - CAFE INTERNET AJIJIC Tel: 766-3626 - NEW WORLD TECHNOLOGY Tel: 766-4343

Pag: 44

Pag: 13

* DRY CLEANING/LAUNDRY - DEL MAR Tel: 766-4278

Pag: 51

* BANK INVESTMENT

Pag: 57

* GARDENING - GARDEN CENTER Tel: 765-5973

Pag: 64

* CLEANING SERVICE Pag: 60

- AJIJIC ART & DESIGN Tel: 765-5882 - ARDEN MEXICO Tel: 765-3540 - ARTE AMANECER Tel: 765-2090 - LA CASA VALLARTA - MIRAGE Tel: 322-290-2564 - PATIO PLUS - RICARDO FERNANDEZ Tel: 766-5149 - TEMPUR Tel: (52) 333-629-5919, 333-629-5961

Pag: 76

* BLINDS AND CURTAINS

- CUGINIS OPUS BOUTIQUE Tel/Fax: 766-1790 - FIAGA BOUTIQUE Tel: 766-1816 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - LEATHER GALLERY Tel: 766-2845

- ARQZA - Arq. Francisco Zermeño Nextel: 01 (33) 3700 8329 Pag: 72 - CABO DO MUNDO- INTERIOR DESIGN Tel: 766-0026 Pag: 21 - HOMESERVICES Tel: 766-1569 Pag: 52 - PIETRA FINA Tel/Fax: 01(33) 3628-4919, 01 (33) 3677-1713 Pag: 61 - PISAFIRM Tel: 766-5008 Pag: 54 - WARWICK CONSTRUCTION Tel: 765-2224 Cell. (045) 331-135-0763 Pag: 67

* AUTOMOTIVE

- BAZAR BARBARA Tel: 766-1824

Pag: 74

* FURNITURE

* CHURCHES

- BRENDA’S BAKERY BOUTIQUE Tel: 765-2987

Pag: 82

Pag: 55

* AUTOMATIC DOORS

-O&A - MULTIVA Tel: 766-2499

766-1760 765-4444 766-5555

* CONSTRUCTION

* ANIMAL CLINICS/PET SHOP

- GRUPO OLMESA Tel: 766-3780 - LINEA PROFESIONAL Tel. 766-2555, Fax. 766-0066 - MAZDA Tel: 765-4800, 01 (33) 3344-4499 - RON YOUNG-MECHANIC Tel: 765-6387

066 765-2308, 765-2553 766-3615

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

* BEAUTY * AIR LINES - AMERICAN AIRLINES

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

- ELECTROVENTA Tel: 765-2222 - EL TIO SAM Tel: 766-5664 - USA APPLIANCES Tel: 01.800.821.6202 MEX 1.866.558.4071 USA - TECNICOS UNIDOS Tel: 765-4266

Pag: 27 Pag: 83

Pag: 57 Pag: 31

* HOTELS / SUITES - CASA BLANCA Tel: 766-1500 - CIELO ROJO Tel: 311-258-4155 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, Fax: 766-2049 - MIS AMORES Tels: 766-4640, 4641, 4642 - QUINTA DON JOSE Tel: 01-800-700-2223 - VILLAS DEL SOL Tel: 766 1152

Pag: 55 Pag: 26 Pag: 03 Pag: 48 Pag: 10 Pag: 24

* INSURANCE Pag: 37

- EDGAR CEDEÑO Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982 - LLOYD Tel: 766-0152, 766-3508

Pag: 24 Pag: 30

- FARMACIA MORELOS Tel: 765-4002

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

Pag: 08

* LIGHTING & DECORATION - LIGHTING & DESIGN CENTER Tel. 766-3506

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

* PHOTOGRAPHY - MICHAEL’S PHOTO STUDIO & GALLERY Tel: (0133) 3122 3976, Cell: (045) 331 229 8972

* REAL ESTATE

Pag: 37 Pag: 18

* MEDICAL SERVICES - BODY SENSE CLINIC - PODIATRIST Tel: 766-6080 Pag: 33 - DERMATOLOGIST Tel: 766-1198, 765-2400 Pag: 70 - DERMIKA Dermatologic Center Dra. Monica Ramos Tel: 766-2500 Pag: 63 - INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST & GERIATRICS Dr. J. Manuel Cordova Tel: 766-2777, 766-5611 Pag: 48 - DRA. MARTHA R. BALLESTEROS FRANCO Cell: (045) 333-408-0951 Pag: 66 - GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS Dr. Héctor Manuel Alvarado Soria Cell: (045) 33-3626-7957 Pag: 70 - HOSPITAL ANGELES DEL CARMEN Tel: (01) 3813-0042 Pag: 11 - KEY 2 LIFE & MEDI-CHIP Pag: 56 - OCCIMEDGROUP Tel: (01) 33-3825-0000 Pag: 56 - OPHTHALMOLOGIST Dra. María de Jesús Quintero Bernal Tels: 765-2400, 7654805 Pag: 12 - PINTO OPTICAS Tel: 765-7793 Pag: 29 - RED CROSS Tel:765-2308 - SURGERY HOST Tel: 766-3145 Pag: 59

* 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 - THE MOVERS LAKESIDE Tel/Fax: 376-766-3571

Pag: 05 Pag: 14 Pag: 12 Pag: 17 Pag: 66

* MUSIC/THEATER - LAKESIDE LITTLE THEATRE Tel: 766-0954 - MUSIC APPRECIATION SOCIETY Tel: 765-6409, 766-1798

Pag: 31 Pag: 67

* 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

Pag: 73 Pag: 12 Pag: 71

Pag: 64

* SECURITY SYSTEMS / WIRE FENCES Pag: 76 - S.O.S.E Tel: 765-4921

- 1ST CHOICE HOMES LAKESIDE Tel: 765-2484 Pag: 29 - AJIJIC HOME INSPECTIONS Tel: 766-2836 Pag: 14 - AJIJIC REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-2077, Fax: 766-2331 Pag: 03 - ALL IN ONE REAL ESTATE SERVICE Tel: 766-1161 Pag: 05 - ALTERNATIVE REALTY Tel: 766-5575 Pag: 65 - ANGELO Cell: (045) 33-3556-4343 Pag: 27 - CASA MEXICO REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-4088 Pag: 20 - CENTEYA Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 33 - COLDWELL BANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, 766-3369 Fax: 766-2124, Tels: 765-2877 Fax: 765-3528 Pag: 84 - CHULA VISTA NORTE Tel: 766-2177 Cell: (045) 33-3841-8867 Pag: 52 - CIELO VISTA Tel: 766-4867 Pag: 47 - EAGER Y ASOCIADOS Tel: 766 1917, 1918 Pag: 42 - EL DORADO Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 3640-3108 Pag: 58 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 1568 9254 Pag: 64 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 3121-6779 Pag: 68 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-5609 Pag: 72 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 3631-5851 Pag: 77 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-4440 Pag: 69 - FOUR SEASONS Tel: 766-6065 Pag: 66 - GEORGETTE RICHMOND Tel: 766-2129, 766-2077 Pag: 13 - LLOYD REAL ESTATE AJIJIC Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - LOS ARROYOS VERDES Tel: (329) 2986-267 Pag: 63 - MICHEL BUREAU Cell. (045) 333-129-3322, Home: (376) 765-2973 Pag: 61 - MIGUEL RUEDA ROMAN Tel: 765-2484 Pag: 16, 28 - RIVIERA ALTA Tel: 766-1169 Pag: 34 - SARA ARREOLA Cell: (045) 331 438 8489 Pag: 49 - TOM AND DIANNE BRITTON Tel. 766-5249 (home) Cell. (045) 33-1298-5722 Pag: 03 - VILLA OLIVIA Tel: 766-1069 Pag: 71

* RENTALS/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - COLDWELLBANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, movile: (045) 33-1175-9632 Pag: 68 - FOR RENT Tel: (33) 3122 -6870 Pag: 75 - RENTAL LOCATERS Tel: 766-5202 Pag: 14 - ROMA Tel: 766-3163 Pag: 18 - VILLAS DEL SOL Tel: 766 1152 Pag: 24

Pag: 69

Pag: 76

* SELF STORAGE

Pag: 25

Pag: 50

* MEAT/POULTRY/CHEESE - NATURAL CHEESE Tel: 765-5933 - TONY’S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069

Cell: (045) 33-1350-4122

Pag: 70

* RESTAURANTS/CAFES/CLUBS - AJIJIC TANGO Tel: 766-2458 Pag: 26 - CAFÉ ADELITA Tel: 766-0097 Pag: 36 - CASA BLANCA Tel: 766-1500 Pag: 55 - CASA WAFFLE Tel: 766-1946 Pag: 03 - CHAC-LAN Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326 Pag: 35 - COCINA SAN ANDRES Tel: 766-5614 Pag: 52 - DAVID’S CAFE Tel: 766-2341 Pag: 68 - EL BAR-CO Tel: 766-0452 Pag: 22 - EL JARDIN DE NINETTE Cell: (045) 33-1410-4064 Pag: 30 - FABULOUS FOOD Tel: (376) 766 1349 Pag: 19 - GERARD’S Tel: 766 5956 Pag: 25 - HOME COOKIN’ Tel: 766-3994 Pag: 73 - LA BODEGA Tel: 766-1002 Pag: 12 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, 766-2049 Pag: 03 - LA TASCA Tel: 766-5269 Pag: 29 - “ LA TAVERNA” DEI QUATTRO MORI Tel: 766 2848 Pag: 32 - LA VIEJA POSADA Tel: 766-0744 Pag: 48 - LAS CABALLERIZAS COXALA Tel: 766-0744 Pag: 35 - LOS TELARES Tel: 766-0428 Pag: 57 - MANIX Tel: 766-0061 Pag: 24 - MELANIE’S Tel: 766-4253 Pag: 10 - MOM´S DELI & RESTAURANT Tel: 765-5719 Pag: 19, 73 - NUMBER FOUR Tel: 766-1360 Pag: 23 - PEDROS GOURMET Tel: 766-4747 Pag: 50 - PEPITO’S Tel: 766-2060 Pag: 32 - RECOLETA Tel: 766-2656 Pag: 33 - TALENTO Tel: (33)3915 3565 Pag: 53 - TOMAS Tel: 765-3897 Pag: 49 - TONY’S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069 Pag: 18 - YVES’ Tel: 766-1851 Pag: 60

* RETIREMENT/REST/NURSING HOMES - LA CASA NOSTRA Tel: 765-4187, Fax: 765-5815 - LA SAGRADA FAMILIA Tel: 762-1425

Pag: 06

- SELF STORAGE-BODEGAS CHAPALA Tel: 766-0661, Tel/Fax: 766-1045 Pag: 67

* SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS - ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Tel: 766-5961 Pag: 71 - EL BAZAR DE LOS NIÑOS Tel: 765-3147 Pag: 77 - LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY Tel: 766-1140 Pag: 70-73 - LAKESIDE SPAY & NEUTER CENTER, A.C. Tel: 766-0821

* SPA / MASSAGE - AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - BODY SENSE CLINIC Tel: 766-6080 - HYDROPOOL Tel: 766-4030 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - MONTE COXALA Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326 - 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: 54 Pag: 33 Pag: 37 Pag: 37 Pag: 35 Pag: 32 Pag: 17 Pag: 11 Pag: 31

* THERAPISTS - PROFESSIONAL REHABILITATION Tel: 766-5563

Pag: 19

* TOURS - CHARTER CLUB TOURS Tel: 766-1777 - LOS VAGABUNDOS Tel: 01 (415) 152-3013

Pag: 09 Pag: 77

* TRANSLATION SERVICES - ELI RANGEL Tel: Tel: 01 33 3335 0863

Pag: 75

* TREE SERVICE - CHAPALA TREE SERVICE Tel: 762-0602

Pag: 77

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

Pag: 15

*WEAVERS - TELARES LOS REYES Tel: 766-5640

Pag: 28

Pag: 71

* SATELLITES/ T.V. - SATELLITE & ELECTRONICS Tel: 766-4768 - SATELLITE SYSTEMS OF AJIJIC Tel/Fax: 766-1117, 766-3371

Pag: 66 Pag: 15

* SCHOOLS - CLC Tel: 765-5498 - COLEGIO DE AXIXIC

Pag: 05

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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.canadianclubmx.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 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- Benefitting low-income schoolchildren. Every Tues. 10 am at LCS. Call Lynne at 766-5116.

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- Ajijic Center for Spiritual Living. Tuesday 10 am. Call for info: Ann Brandt 765-2037 or email tim@revdoctim.com.

VILLA INFANTIL ORPHANAGE- Provides financial support for children. 765-0093.

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)

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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.

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) 765-2925, 766-5234. 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 services, 10 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: PARTS from 1993 Ford Escort. Most body parts very good; glass, seats, good tyres/rims, etc. Prefer you contact me through PM at www.chapala. com with any questions, Lotta Linya WANTED: Smaller Mexican-plated car or van. Automatic. Max.44,000MP. Good mechanical condition. Contact: John Haskett.

FOR SALE: Cargo Express 4 x 6 x 4 ft enclosed car trailer. Has spare tire, wheel locks, used once. $15,000 pesos.

653-5454.

FOR SALE: Polaroid portable GPS with Auto mount and Mexico map. Excellent road detail for highways and cities.

Includes music player and photo viewer.

About 1 year old. Asking $2200 pesos.

Contact: Wayne Garding FOR SALE: Trailer 5 X 12 back tailgate goes down so you can load a golf cart on it or extend carring. Capacity 5 X 18 Call Charley Craven @ Tel (387) 761 0076 FOR SALE: Golf car classic, new tires and battery. Looks like a small car.

Call Charley Craven @ Tel: (387)761 0076 FOR SALE: Pointer wagon 2001 dark green.44000 pesos good condition, standard, Mexican plated. Call Cathy @ 3313417836 WANTED: Want to buy car with Texas plates $5000us, year 2000 or later.

Contact Frank Raimo FOR SALE: Ext cab, long bed, new brakes, new tires. Bed liner and bed cover. Very good condition. All reasonable offers considered. $6000USD. Call: Bill Mc Connaughey Tel: 762-0856

COMPUTERS BEST OFFER FOR: 2.8 ghz Celeron, Windows XP Pro, 512mb Ram memory, Sony DVD Writer, 19” CRT Monitor, 3 Piece Speakers, Keyboard and Mouse.

Call Barry Semeniuk @ 376-762-1628

PETS & SUPPLIES FOR SALE: This is a life jacket for a large dog and you can adjust it, it really works, we have used it in the lake. $200 Call: Julie Hensley @ Tel : (376) 765-4590 WANTED: Need dog run, fenced on all sides with top enclosed, any size will serve the purpose. Economical please.

Contact: Dusty Ward

GENERAL MERCHANDISE FOR SALE: Dishnetwork receiver with new card. Excellent condition. contact Fred at habachtf@prodigy.net.mx for further information. $1500 pesos.

Contact: Fred Habacht FOR SALE: King Tut SarcophagusLifesize. See more information here: http://www.designtoscano.com/product/ code/FY1059.do I will be at the American Legion Yard Sale, Chapala, on Sept.

4th. Call: David @ Tel: (376)763-52-48 FOR SALE: Aluminum Tool Box, for

full size pickup truck. Good condition.

New ones cost over $800USD. Size approx. 2 ft. X 2 ft. X 5 ft. Sliding interior tool tray. Contact: Richard Bray @ Tel: (387) 763 3223 FOR SALE: Diningroom table “Antigua de Mexico”, old wood and eight chairs, size 2.00 mts. large for 0.80 wide, excellent conditions. 12,000.00 pesos.

Call: Romero Gerardo @ Tel: (376) 7662594 FOR SALE: Refrigerator Whirlpool, lateral freezer, size 1.70 mts. high, 0.80 mts. deep, and 0.83 mts. wide, excellent condition. 3,000.00 pesos Tel: (376) 76 62594 asking for Aida or Gerardo.

FOR SALE: 1971 Siler Streak “Continental”. Stainless refrig., new toilet, central heat, freezing air. Good condition.

New upolstery. Fully equipped. Comes with 15 X 20 screen house. $6,800. usd.

Call: (387) 763 1725 or email coleen. johnson@gmail.com FOR SALE: Dining set with 4 chairs.

Mexican leather furniture. Great condition. Never outdoors. Less than a year old. Please e-mail bmertenscpa@yahoo.com or call 766-1756 for information or picture. $1500 pesos FOR SALE: Nordictrack Powertread Treadmill. Originally cost around 1900.00 U.S..Power incline, adjustable cushioning, folds for storage, hand weight holder with adjustable weights, heart rate monitor and owners manual included. Works great. Contact: Joy Longo WANTED: Need a four drawer file cabinet. Please call Perry @ 766-1104 FOR SALE: BKM Scooter, JAZZ Model. Bought new in 2005. Good condition; less than 2000 km; never crashed.

Selling because I got a bigger one. Check this model out at: http://www.scootersus. com/jazz.html USD$500 or peso FOR SALE: Star Trek Next Gen. VHS 38 tapes, $15 pesos each; DVDs JAG season 2; Stargate Season 10; Stargate Season 9; Stargate Continiuum; Stargate, Ark of Truth; 88 minutes; Righteous Kill; The Visitor; Bemjamion Button. Inqiure for Cheap prices. Contact: Lotta Linya FOR SALE: Motorcycle Battery. PS12100 F1, 12v 12.0 AH, Power Sonic motorcyle battery, NEW - $30.00 Call: Donald Williams @ 765-2100 WANTED: Would like approx. 21” TV in good working condition FOR SALE: iron coffee table, glass top smoked color, rectangular length 38in height 16in asking 480.p; 3 small round metal tables, glass tops, matching, all 3 for 280.p; glass top round table, diameter 42in,tripod bamboo base-400.p Contact: Dusty Ward FOR SALE: Dresser 6 drawers, rustico, asking 3,900.p Contact: Dusty Ward FOR SALE: Washer-dryer stack, frigidaire, xlarge capacity, gas dryer, height 74in, width 27in, depth 28.5 in, excellent condition,asking 7,400.p new was 11,000.p Contact: Dusty Ward WANTED: Clean, plain, off white, pinch pleated sheers, 78W X 84L. Contact: Gina Rolfe FOR SALE: Antique Rustic side-

board. Very unique antique piece. Solid mesquite wood. One of a kind. 4000 pesos. Contact: Christina.

FOR SALE: Beautiful dresser, dressing table or desk with a detached but matching 3 piece mirror. Perfect condition, very well made. Includes both pieces. 1200 or best offer. Call: Lauri Jenson @ 765 6711.

FOR SALE: Wonderfully comfortable overstuffed chair. Great condition, cushion in great shape, not warped or uneven. Contact: Christina @ Tel: 7656711 FOR SALE: Polaroid portable GPS with auto mount and Mexico map (only).

Excellent road detail for highways and cities. Includes music player and photo viewer. About 1 year old. Asking $2200 pesos.

FOR SALE: Digital blood pressure cuff in a carrying case. Also records pulse and time of recording. Has memory for 90 recordings. Less than one year old. Retailed for $1000 pesos. Asking $700 pesos FOR SALE: EZ GO - Golf Cart, 36Volt - Batteries new 2008, Lots of power, Excellent Condition, $2,550 usd.

Call: 765-5007 FOR SALE: Super 2 person inflatable and portable spa fully self contained with pump & heater. 6 foot diameter. $5000 pesos. Call 765-2484 FOR SALE: Carport Red in Color used for 3 months, size is 8 Foot wide X 18 Foot Long X 7 Foot High. Call Peter at 766-1734 if interested.$2500 Pesos.

FOR SALE: ACROS(Whirlpool) around 10 cubic feet refrigerator, Bought brand new now realized too small and bought larger one. Purchased January 2009 from Wal Mart. Semi-automatic. $1500 pesos.

FOR SALE: New beautiful sheepskin rugs. Leather decorative edgings, machine washable, decorator image.

$700pesos. Call today. Call: Barbara Colbert @ Tel: (376) 763 5038 FOR SALE: Steel base frame for a mattress. Adjustable from double to king size. On wheels. $1000 pesos Call: (387) 761 1054 FOR SALE: I would like to sell my phone line please call at 766-1630. Also, prodigy modem included.

FOR SALE: Great Lease Available in the Ajijic Plaza Liquor License Included Call Kim 331 313 2006 FOR SALE: one chrome 4 leg swivel black leather seet stool. $400pesos.

One chrome 4 leg swivel yellow polyester seet stool. $200pesos. One wooden 4 leg dark stain stool $50p, Bachelor podium bar 3’ x 10” $200p. Call: Heinz Stapff @ 7653587 FOR SALE: sky satelite dish, receiver & remote control. 1,400PESOS. Call: Heinz Stapff @ 7653587 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 WANTED: Need used windows, doors, fencing, barbed wire, chicken wire, chain link, metal railings, window security metals, wheel barrel and ladder, any building materials, tiles, sinks, faucets, toilets, wood, rebar etc. Contact: Diane Ward FOR SALE: Dining room suite for sale. Table is 7’ long comes with glass top to protect the wood. 8 high back chairs upholstered in red microsuede fabric. $900 US. Call Donna at 766-4636 WANTED: used doors and windows, any bldg supplies and gas powered generator, tejas, tiles, plumbing or electrical supplies, economical please!!!

Contact: Dusty Ward.

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