Saw you in the Ojo
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Saw you in the Ojo
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D IRE C TOR Y PUBLISHER Richard Tingen
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: (01376) 765 3676, 765 2877 Fax: (01376) 765 3528 Associate Publisher David Tingen Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Reyes Diana Parra Morales
Index...
FEATURE ARTICLES
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COVER STORY
Jeanine Kitchel’s review of Jungle of Stone—The Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya.
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Special Events Editor Sandy Olson
10 TRAVEL
The final part of Gabrielle Blair’s A Tourist in Russia.
Associate Editor Victoria Schmidt
20 HUMOR
Art Critic / Contributing Editor Rob Mohr Theater Critic Michael Warren Book Review Panel Margaret Van Every Margaret Porter Clare Gearhart Roving Correspondent Dr. Lorin Swinehart Sales Manager Bruce Fraser Carmene Berner Office Secretary Rocio Madrigal ADVERTISING OFFICE Av. Hidalgo # 223, Chapala Mon. thru Fri. 9 am - 5 pm Sat. 9 am - 1 pm Tel. 01 (376) 765 2877, 765 3676 Fax 01 (376) 765 3528
Pag. 32 LAKESIDE LIVING
Cover by Dalya Mora, 11 years, LCS Children’s Art Program
COLUMNS THIS MONTH
Maggie Van Ostrand’s remembers how her maid here in Ajijic was once firmly convinced that President Barack Obama was part-Mexican.
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24 POETRY
18 If Our Pets Could Talk
Judy Dykstra-Brown’s poem about the radically changing view that most of the world now has of the United States.
22 Profiling Tepehua
Editor’s Page
14 Bridge By Lake
40 ANTHROPOMORPHISM
26 Welcome To Mexico
Sydney Gay’s fascinating look at how so many animals often exhibit human traits.
30 Life Askew
48 BOOK REVIEW
32 Lakeside Living
Alice Hathaway’s review of the now-famous book House in the Sun which was published way back in the 1950’s and is one of the very first books ever set entirely in Ajijic.
54 Mexican Grace (New)
Send all correspondence, subscriptions or advertising to: El Ojo del Lago http://www.chapala.com ojodellago@prodigy.net.mx Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528 PRINTING: El Debate El Ojo del Lago aparece los primeros cinco días de cada mes. (Distributed over the first five days of each month) Certificado de Licitud de Título 3693 Certificado de Licitud de Contenido 3117. Reserva al Título de Derechos de Autor 04-2011-103110024300-102 Control 14301. Permisos otorgados por la Secretaría de Gobernación (EXP. 1/432 “88”/5651 de 2 de junio de 1993) y SEP (Reserva 171.94 control 14301) del 15 de enero de 1994. Distribución: Hidalgo 223 Chapala, Jalisco, México. All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Lago. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher or the Editor, nor are we responsible for the claims made by our advertisers. We welcome letters, which should include name, address and telephone number.
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COVER STORY
VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1
El Ojo del Lago / September 2019
Saw you in the Ojo
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COLUMNIST
Editor’s Page By Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez
The Manchurian Candidate
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n 1962, Hollywood released a film that became an instant classic. It starred Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Harvey and Janet Leigh, and was directed by John Frankenheimer. George Axelrod wrote the screenplay, which was based on his novel. The movie was produced at the height of the Cold War, and deals with an American soldier taken prisoner by North Korean forces in 1953 during the final months of the Korean War. While in captivity, the soldier (from
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an ambitious and prominent political family) is brainwashed to obey instructions that are later transmitted by Communist agents operating in the USA, orders that are deeply antithetical to America’s best interests— but of great benefit to what was then called the Soviet/Communist bloc.
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This movie came to mind recently as many prominent political pundits and politicians in the United States (and abroad) have angrily questioned a great many of President Trump’s bizarre statements and actions regarding Russia that seem wildly favorable to Putin’s regime but counter to the interests of the president’s own country, to wit: Despite the consensus of all seventeen of America’s intelligence agencies that Russia massively interfered in the last presidential election, the American president prefers to take Putin’s word that such was not the case. Of greater import, no federal program has yet been put in place that would make sure that such interference will never succeed again. Alarmingly, a great deal of evidence now indicates that Russia has geared up to again interfere with our 2020 presidential election! But this past February, Trump severely cut the budget of those groups that were to be set up to guard against such maneuvers by Russia or any other foreign government. Further, the Senate Majority Leader has repeatedly blocked any legislation that would defend democracy from even coming to a vote. Despite Trump’s repeated denials of having anything to do with Russia prior to his election, proof has now materialized that he was knee-deep in negotiations with Putin to build a skyscraper in Moscow, this during the primaries and right up to his election in November of 2018. For several months, the president has been trying to undermine NATO and has made clear that he wants to take the U.S. out of an alliance which has helped keep both Western Europe, as well as the United States, safe from Russian aggression for the past 70 years. Again, such a departure would be the realization of a fond dream for Putin, but a nightmare for the democracies of Western Europe, as well as for the United States. The American president has now met privately with Putin several times, but contrary to time-honored custom has not always been accompanied by a foreign relations expert—and in two such meetings has not had even an American interpreter . . . nor has he told the American people what was discussed at these meetings. The president ridicules American career diplomats for trying to warn him of various problems around the world, believing that through oneon-one diplomacy and personal charisma, he can solve any and all problems. One “solution” was with the leader of North Korea, who after meetings with Trump, sharply stepped up his missile program.
Further, when told by the American Intelligence Community that North Korea had rockets that could reach the United States, Trump said that Putin had told him it did not, and ended the discussion by saying, “I believe Putin.” Trump has chosen to overlook Russia’s annexation of the Crimea and the invasion of the Ukraine—even while all the rest of the Western allies severely condemned Putin for his atavistic behavior. Dozens of important positions in the Defense Department remain vacant because Trump has shown little or no interest in filling them. All of the above would suggest that the American president is in the thrall of a force he cannot control— much like the main character in the above-mentioned movie, or equally ominous, is being blackmailed; or worse yet, is allowing an adversarial country to sabotage the very essence of democracy in America in order to secure future financial advantages for himself from the Russian government. What this may mean for the future of the United States, a country that has often been an inspiration to the rest of the world is frightening to contemplate. Note: The Mueller Report has not found any conclusive evidence of direct collusion with Russia on the part of Trump himself, though several of his top political aides (including his former Campaign Manager and his personal lawyer) have been found or have pleaded guilty to have lied about their contacts with Russia. All told, there have been no less than 34 indictments or guilty pleas. For a socalled “witch-hunt,” there have obviously been a lot of “witches” out there. What the Report stated without equivocation was that Russia massively interfered with the last presidential election, and exclusively on behalf of Donald Trump. If the president does not act to protect free and honest elections, surely the death of democracy* itself may be guaranteed. *Many years ago, the late President Ronald Reagan, speaking at the site of the Allied Landings at Normandy, remembered the thousands of Americans who had died that day defending democracy, which Reagan called “the most deeply honorable form of government that in all of history has ever been devised.” Alejandro GrattanDominguez
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JUNGLE OF STONE: The True Story of Two Men, Their Extraordinary Journey, and the Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya Reviewed by Jeanine Kitchel
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n 1839 an energetic American writer and a talented British artist, adventurers to the core, braved the jungles of Yucatan, Guatemala and Honduras and became the first English speaking travelers to explore this region originally known only as Maya. Though a lawyer by profession, John Lloyd Stephens fell hard for archeology after a two-year sabbatical took him to Europe and the Mediterranean in the mid-1830s. After trekking through deserts and ancient pyramid sites he came away fueled with a desire for more of the same. Simultaneously he discovered he could write and was dubbed “the American traveler” after he penned his first best seller about Egypt’s pyramids, the Nile, Petra and the Holy Land. British artist Frederick Catherwood gained his footing during the “Egyptomania” craze that hit London in the 1820s. A bit older than Stephens, he reached Egypt and the Nile in 1823 and discovered he had an uncanny ability to portray ancient monuments and archeological digs with great accuracy. Egypt was the start of an odyssey that in the end would take him to Copán and Palenque, Uxmal, Labna, Chichén Itzá and beyond. CENTRAL AMERICA BECKONS Serendipity brought the adventurers together in London, and shortly af-
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terwards. Stephens received a special ambassadorship to Central America from President Martin Van Buren to negotiate treaties with several Latin America countries. Stephens immediately contacted Catherwood and asked him to come along for the ride. After political issues were settled, they’d go exploring for ancient ruins. The duo headed south and after an intense journey through war torn Guatemala and Honduras, Stephens finished what he could of his diplomatic workload. It was time for exploration with their first destination Copán. Spurred on by a letter written to the Spanish king about ancient sites with large stone structures from an explorer named Deigo Garcia de Palacio three hundred years earlier, Stephens and Catherwood followed the trail of Central American patriot Colonel Juan Galindo. Galindo had discovered the archived letter and traveled to both Palenque and Copán in 1834. Stephens and Catherwood would arrive five years later after pouring over sketchy site coordinates from Galindo’s report made to higher-ups. ADVANCED CIVILIZATION Galindo believed whoever built these stone monuments had been an advanced civilization, and the artisans who created the works did so without iron tools. The monuments were covered in hieroglyphics and he conceived it was phonetic writing, which proved accurate, though it would take more than a hundred years to confirm his theory. He believed the site was the seat of a great power, a large population and a people advanced in the arts. The site had a grand plaza that could compete with the coloseum of Rome, he said. He emphasized that local inhabitants had little knowledge of the site’s history. And unbelievably, the account that pushed Galindo to explore Copán had accumulated dust in the archives of a Spanish court for more than three centuries. This mysterious and intriguing report was the reason Stephens and Catherwood found themselves in the depths of a Hondu-
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ran jungle. Because terrain in southern Mexico, western Guatemala and Honduras is a thick tangle of vegetation filled with rain forests and swamps, parts of the land were a mystery even to the Maya who lived there. Locals had no explanation for the stone blocks and imposing structures and knew nothing of their creators. So dense was the jungle that Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés passed within one hundred miles of Palenque in the early 1500s, never learning how near he was to a massive pyramid site. (The classic Maya collapse occurred around 900 AD). WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? Galindo’s revolutionary view of an ancient sophisticated civilization with no ties to their Northern European brethren fell on deaf ears. Early explorers of Palenque in 1787 insisted it had classical Roman and Greek influences, speculating somehow one of these cultures had crossed the Atlantic, conquered the native locals, built the structures, never to be seen again. Another explorer said it had to be the work of the Lost Tribe of Israel’s doing, underscoring how hesitant each and every western explorer who came in contact with the Maya was to give an advanced indigenous culture its due. These discoveries continued to baffle western intellects and religious scholars alike. The existence of vast sophisticated cities hidden in the middle of Central American jungles threatened the biblical order of the known world. Where did these people come from and how old were their cities? One explorer, a crazy outlier named “Count” Jean-Frederic Maximilien de Waldeck, made an accidentally correct claim when he stated Uxmal was at least one thousand years old, basing his claim on the concentric tree circles he counted from a tree that implanted itself in the building’s entryway after it was already in ruins. It would take Stephens and Catherwood, seasoned with their old world explorations, to examine the evidence at the sites and forge a new, correct narrative. CAPTURING COPÁN’S ESSENCE Though Stephens’ written descriptions of the sites were detailed and informative, it was Catherwood’s otherworldly sketches that would forever change the way the world viewed the mysterious, previously unknown Maya culture. On their first week at Copán, Catherwood would toss out countless attempts at capturing the Maya stelae (stones with hieroglyphs) that he found. At first his western mind could simply not contemplate, then draw, what he was seeing. To him, a western European, the gigantic Copán sculptures, some four to five meters high, were so profoundly different than the
antiquities of the mideast that he had a difficult time rendering them. The two veteran travelers who had toured the wonders of Egypt knew they were in the cross hairs of an incredibly advanced civilization and they were now on “new ground” as Stephens wrote later in Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatán, his best seller about the Maya world. To capture the soul of the sculptures and to assist himself in so doing, Catherwood took photos with his Camera Lucida, the precursor to a modern camera, then from those drawings, he attempted to re-draw what he saw. Though it took him many tries, a slight shift in his perspective broke through and with powerful persistence, he finally got it right. He filled page after page with drawings rich in detail of the unfathomable hieroglyphics, monuments, sculptings. His drawings would prove so accurate that long into the future, archeologists would be able to read them when they finally broke the Maya code in 1976 at the famous Palenque Round Table. But at the time, to convince an uncertain world of what they were seeing, it would take not only the stark beauty of Catherwood’s detailed drawings to put Copán, Palenque and other Maya sites on the map, it would also take Stephens’ energetic and romantic prose to seal the deal. Copán and Palenque were just the beginning of Stephens and Catherwood’s Maya explorations. They would go on to view forty-four sites in all, many detailed in Jungle of Stone. The struggles they endured to bring this discovery to the world hit them hard. Both were forever plagued by side effects of malaria and other diseases contracted while chasing pyramids. CATHERWOOD’S SKETCHES Even if you’re not in the mood for a long read, Frederick Catherwood’s incredible sketches shown in the book, many in color, make Jungle of Stone worthwhile. Ed. Note: Jeanine Kitchel writes about Mexico, the Maya and the Yucatán. Her travel memoir, Where the Sky is Born: Living in the Land of the Maya, her debut novel, Wheels Up—A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival, and a journalist’s view of the Maya calendar phenomenon, Maya 2012 Revealed: Demystifying the Prophecy, are all available on Amazon. com. Contact Ms. Kitchel through her website: www. jeaninekitchel. com. Jeanine Kitchel
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A TOURIST IN RUSSIA (Part Two)
By Gabrielle Blair
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ay 9th, Victory Day: I’m in the main hall of the Mayakovsky Metro station in Moscow, our pre-arranged point for meeting Sergei and Yulia. It is one of many constructed in the 30’s that feels like a palace, intended as such. Why shouldn’t the transport system that moves millions of passengers each day be gorgeous? I’m leaning against one of hundreds of white and red marble pillars, looking down the long hall of arches; the domed ceilings are decorated with intricate mosaics of Soviet depictions of war scenes and everyday activities such as sports, children playing ball or flying toy airplanes. Brilliant, white, glass chandeliers light the
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marble floors with red, white and black geometric designs. We are about to start the March of the Immortal Regiment, an ever growing annual event across Russia, and indeed in other countries, in which relatives carry framed photographs of those who died in the Great Patriotic War, in the West known as World War Two. But first we must ride one more metro stop to Dinamo Station, another grandiose, underground, palatial structure named after the Dinamo Sports Stadium. People flow onto the twelve-lane Tverskaya Ulitsa, now empty of traffic. Police guard along the way, but the chance of disruption is unlikely. Orange and black- striped St. George rib-
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bons are being given away to be tied in a bow and worn pinned over your heart or on your pilotka (khaki-colored soldiers cap) for sale for a few rubles if you don’t already have one. This historic ribbon goes back to pre-Soviet times, in Imperial Russia 1807 – 1913. The St. George Cross, an award for bravery and distinction in combat, would be hung from it. There is an air of excitement and expectancy for this very emotional day. I remember that Russia was on ‘our side’ before someone drew the curtain between East and West. It was Churchill who coined the phrase the “Iron Curtain,” and thus began the Cold War. We are at the start of the six-kilometer march, one million expected this year. Musicians on the side-lines are playing accordions, saxophones and strings. Space is cleared for a mother and young son who are waltzing to a well-known tune. Military marches and songs are piped through speakers. More marchers have joined us with flags, banners and blue, white and red balloons, the colors of the Russian flag. Sergei, who is fluent in English and a bit of an historian, points out architectural periods: pre-Revolution; Stalin; Khrushchev, his descriptions being drowned out from time to time by the ‘hoorahs!’ coming in waves down the lines. Arms wave to the helicopter flying over at regular intervals, filming for Russian television. We pass a TV film crew and I volunteer to say something as a foreigner from Canada, with my Russianspeaking husband interpreting for me. We never find out whether my segment is aired, but I’m pleased to share my enthusiasm for being part of this momentous event. The crowd is now dense. Little children trot beside parents, their view obstructed by the large bodies around them, or the lucky ones ride on their father’s shoulders. The sea of black and white photographs of the dead loom above us attached to white poles or clutched close to the chest of their relative. Women with canvas bags ease through the masses and hand out bottles of water. The air is hot and sticky. At intervals we pass army field kitchens where you can get a free, plastic bowl of kasha (buckwheat porridge), typical of a soldier’s ration. My history lesson continues as Sergei points out the statue of Uri Dolgaroky, who founded Moscow in 1147. The occasional sign in English surprises me: “Conversation Coffee and Cakes” and the ubiquitous McDonald’s. Menus are often in Russian and English and metro stations are announced in Russian and perfect BBC English. Soon this may also be in Chinese as Chinese tourism burgeons. As we approach Red Square, in the final kilometer, we come to a virtual
standstill. We shuffle forward five or ten paces at a time as they funnel us into a couple of lanes to pass through security. Just then the ominous cloud ahead, that we’ve been eyeing expectantly, announces the storm with forked lightning, ear-splitting thunder and the first drops of rain. Raincoats appear out of back-packs, umbrellas are opened, but in minutes some are turned inside-out in the fierce wind. We hesitate for a few minutes, reluctant to leave the stalwarts that have no intention of deserting the ranks, and decide to join those scattering like ants from a disturbed nest. We learn later, watching television, that we, the ‘softies’ who ran, were a mere drop in the ocean. The other thousands and thousands of marchers remained to the very end. In minutes the streets have become running rivers and my soaked clothes cling to me. We shelter in an outdoor restaurant, where other deserters are hanging onto the patio umbrellas against the wind. They let go promptly when someone suggests that lightning might strike. A young couple lifts their little girl over the patio railing. She is so cold that her teeth are chattering. Baring his chest to the elements, Dad strips off his wet tee-shirt and jacket to wrap around her. There’s a break in the deluge and we set off in the rain, sloshing through the streaming streets. Eventually, thoroughly drenched, we find a cab and the driver agrees to take us, but he charges extra because we’ve wet his seats! At home, we change into dry clothes, fortify ourselves with Spanish wine and go out to our favorite neighborhood restaurant, Katchapuri, where Haidar, from Central Asia, seats us at our usual corner table and brings a large order of freshly made cheburiki (paper-thin pastry folded over into a meat or cheese-filled pie) served piping hot. Later, on a bridge over the Moscow River, we watch the fireworks display, hundreds of exploding ‘pin-cushions’ - red, green, purple, gold and silver with canon-like booming, as though under fire in war time. Now in peace time, as the smoke from the fireworks dissipates, the day ends as it began, in a mood of celebration and harmony. Here and there stragglers, arm in arm, make their way home from Red Square, with the occasional verse of a favourite war song to be heard. Blair Bio: Born in South Africa, Gabrielle made Canada her home during the Apartheid Era. She and her husband summer in their Ontario cottage and a remote cabin in Quebec, and winter in Ajijic. Once a professional ballet dancer, she now expresses her creativity by writing poetry and reflecting on the world around her.
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Spring Rain At Maple Grove By Linda Steele novels@att.net
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nce, on a beautiful sunny day in late April, I thought I would take a walk in the woods behind my house. I don’t know any place in the world closer to God than the woods. The quiet calls to my soul. As I walked along, the smells were of moist earth and damp grass. I could hear the squirrels squabbling with each other and a crow cawing in the distance. I bent over and picked a few big sponge mushrooms and thought how good they’d be fried in fresh butter. After I had walked along for a while, I noticed that the woods seemed dark and smelled like rain. You know how the weather is in Ohio, one minute the sun’s shining and the next minute we’re having a cloud burst! I didn’t go much farther till the wind began to swirl around me and small twigs and leaves blew in my face. It started to lightning and thunder and sure enough a few minutes after that, it started to rain. The sugar camp was close, so I quickly headed for the old sugar hut. The leather straps that acted as hinges for the door were sagging so that it didn’t want to close tight, but still I was grateful for the refuge. It was pret’near dark outside, so the inside of the hut was even darker. I could just make out something between my feet. My heart quickened and I wondered if it might be a copperhead, but as my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could see that it was a large toad. I didn’t move and neither did he. As I stood there watching the world light up with each bolt of lightning, I shivered while the thunder roared. All of a sudden the hair stood up on my arms and head and there was a buzzing sound and a flash of light followed by a loud clap of thunder. The toad started moving for the door. Outside, the rain was pouring down and it occurred to me that if that toad felt it urgent to leave, maybe I ought a get out too.
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I hurried outside and ran. When I was a few yards away, there was another flash of light and the hut seemed to glow then explode into flames. Had I stayed in there, surely, I would have perished. All but for the wisdom of a simple toad! It’s hard to believe that there could be people on this earth who refuse to believe in God or that He speaks not just to us humans but to the creatures too! I knew He had just spoken to me and to that toad. God whispers to our souls. Listen to the inner voice that is planted deeply within you, the one that tells you what you need to do, even if it’s the opposite from what think you want. It’s called intuition or in some cases it’s called instinct. Every little thing on this earth has it. Look at the newborn lamb. How does it know, minutes after its birth, to toddle around to the mother’s udders to nurse? How do the geese find their way when they fly south and how do they get back home in the spring? I’ve read that salmon swim upstream in fresh water when it’s time to lay their eggs. How do they know where to go? If God plants that knowledge into his creatures, do you not believe that he also speaks to you? It’s a natural understanding that is deeply planted in our minds. Watch the animals and learn from them and listen to your inner voice. Steele Bio: In 2004 and 2015, won honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest’s annual fiction-writer’s competition in the Inspirational category. Has also sold a story to The Annals (The Redemptorist) Magazine in Quebec. Two novels, Random Acts and its sequel, Out Of The Valley, self-published historical fiction, are available in hard copy and Kindle through Amazon. A third novel, Turnabout, women’s fiction, is available on Amazon Kindle. Most recent novels are The Dream Tree and Lost On Bobtown Road. Have written eleven novels, one novella, and many short stories.
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COLUMNIST
BRIDGE BY THE LAKE By Ken Masson
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ompetitive bidding is often the most exciting part of duplicate bridge. As each partner attempts to describe his or her holding, it can be very difficult to know exactly where the final contract belongs. This month’s deal certainly falls into that category. North dealt and opened the bidding one diamond and East with a balanced 9 count passed. South barely had a bid but with a 5 card major, an outside ace and 6 total high card points was perfectly justified in bidding one heart. West had a clear-cut one spade bid and an aggressive North chimed in with a cue point of the opponents’ suit showing a limit raise or better. Holding more than a minimum, East bid 3 spades but North brought proceedings to a close by putting the 4 heart card on the table. West led the spade K and when the dummy hit the table paused to plan his next move. One of the most common defensive ploys is to lead trumps in an effort to prevent declarer from ruffing losers in the dummy so he next played the ace of trumps from his hand before switching to the diamond queen.
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When East eventually won a diamond trick, he too played trumps but that was all to declarer’s liking as he drew the last opposing heart and claimed 10 tricks losing only one spade, one heart and one diamond. But take a look at those high trumps in dummy and you will see that if declarer is forced to use them prematurely to trump two spade losers, and if the defence cashes the Heart ace, the 9 of hearts in East’s hand will magically become high and the contract will be defeated. It all depends on how quickly the defenders realise their good fortune and cooperate to take advantage of it. Too often when we see shortness in dummy our first thought is to lead trumps to try to cut down on dummy’s ruffing power. This is one case where the opposite is true and certainly occurs more often than we realize. Questions or comments: email: masson.ken@gmail. com Ken Masson
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LAPSANG SOUCHONG TEA:
Nectar for the Gods Who Dwell Atop Olympus By Dr. Lorin Swinehart
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e all have our eccentricities. My tastes include peanut butter and onion sandwiches, ala Ernest Hemingway, pinto beans scorched to perfection over a smoldering campfire, chili hot enough to melt the enamel off one’s molars and a peculiar smoky flavored Chinese tea called lapsang souchong. It all began many years ago with a friend nicknamed Derf, which is Fred spelled backwards. Derf did not care for the name Fred and preferred to go by his middle name Vincent. Be that as it may, all of us at our remote Navaho boarding school in the New Mexico desert called him Derf, which seemed okay by him.
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Derf was an interesting character, a B-26 pilot who had flown missions over North Africa and Europe during World War II and had flown old DC-3’s around South America after the war, delivering freight to out of the way places. While working on a road crew spreading asphalt in the California desert, he saw a nearby elementary school, decided that anything would be better than what he was doing, and applied to become a teacher. He spent a number of years teaching on a naval base in Puerto Rico. Midway in his career, he decided to take a year off and wander around Spain. That wanderlust having been temporarily sated, he signed on
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with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and showed up one January day at Tohatchi Boarding School, about 26 miles up the highway from Gallup, New Mexico. It was not to last. His love of faraway places kicked in once again in the spring, and he departed to teach English as a Second language in Mexico City before returning to his earlier position in Puerto Rico. Having no means of transporting his gear on the long bus ride south, he passed nearly everything on to me. Among the array of items was a small tin of lapsang souchong tea. I became an immediate addict. Lapsang souchong is produced only in two Chinese provinces, Fujan and Taiwan. Basically, it consists of black tea leaves slowly smoked over a smoldering fire kindled from pine logs. A cup of lapsang soughong has all the fragrance and irresistible allure for me of my grandfather’s country smoked hams moldering away in his smoke house. Few things in life are as satisfying. There are conflicting stories about lapsang souchong’s origins. One delightful legend is that its smoky flavor originated when bandits burned down the shed where a Chinese tea farmer had stored his harvest. Rather than lose his entire crop, he offered it to a Dutch tea merchant, who loved it and ordered more. Subsequently, it became the favored tea of British royalty. I have brewed up a mug of lapsang souchong at the end of many a trek through mountains, deserts, forests and swamps, including Ohio’s Mohican-Memorial State Forest, Michigan’s North Manitou Island, the rugged mountain fastnesses of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, the swamplands of Florida and state and national parks and wilderness areas in West Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota and Kentucky. I have shared a pot of lapsang souchong at various times with the giants of the earth, in-
cluding my late great friend the poet Jim Tipton, who gave it his stamp of approval. In my experience, most men do approve of its robust smoky flavor. Most women seem to despise it. My sister and my niece refer to it as creosote tea. A friend’s wife refers to it as ashtray tea. A former student once told me, “I tried some of that with my girlfriend this weekend, and she hated it.” Not all men share my esteem for it, though. A fellow ranger who was my roommate at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial out on Lake Erie could not bear its fragrance and would leave the room whenever I had a mugful. After returning to my Park Service duty station at Fort Raleigh, North Carolina following a hurricane evacuation, one of the ladies working at the counter in the visitor center observed, “I can tell that Lorin is back because I smell that funky tea.” A good friend and backpacking companion shared a cup of with his soon to be ex-wife and warned, “Swinehart says that all women hate Lapsang souchong tea.” She responded, “The next time I see Swinehart, I’m going to smack him.” I have always wondered if our penchant for lapsang souchong contributed to their subsequent divorce. Only our daughter, Hope Malaika, a young woman of discerning tastes and aptitudes, has grown to appreciate its merits. One summer, while serving as a ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park, Hope and one of her friends joined me on a trek up a 10,000 foot trail in the Rockies. Once we arrived at our destination, a ranger patrol cabin, I fired up my backpacker stove and brewed a pot of lapsang souchong. She was so impressed that she ordered her own supply as soon as she returned to the East. Every afternoon in her office she now insists upon a “lapsang moment”. As I pen these lines, I am enjoying my daily cup of good, strong lapsang. Brings back memories of simple good times spent around wilderness campfires, of Navaho friends sharing stories of shape shifters, skin changers, the fearsome Chi’indi who haunts abandoned hogans, evenings serenaded by owl-song and coyote-song and the wind among high country evergreens. I find it somehow reassuring that a few exceptional persons share my passion for what’s good. Lorin Swinehart
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If Our Pets Could Talk By Jackie Kellum
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ast month one of my best friends died. Her name was “Enka.” She was one of my dogs. My husband Jay had a nightly routine of taking an evening stroll in town regardless of the weather. On one of these walks, he came across a small furry bundle huddled in the corner of a doorway of a vacant house. It took him a second to recognize what he was seeing. It was a two-month old puppy – a little girl that was wet and cold. Jay ran home to get a towel and tell me what he had found. I told him to bring it some food and water. True to our family ‘tradition,’ he brought her to the food and water, and she never left. We gave her the name “Enka”, short for Encontrado, Spanish for Found. She grew to be a medium-sized Sheppard Mix, who fit right in with her dog mate family members, total of nine.
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As pet parents, we know in our head that we will not have our pet ‘forever.’ Even though our head knows this, our heart has a difficult time with this. Many people who have never had a pet or learned the deep attachment a person has with his pet, may not understand this unfathomable personal bond. If a sudden death of a pet occurs, we have a feeling like a void in our soul. When we are faced with making a life’s decision, it is heart-wrenching. We have total responsibility for their well-being when we take a pet into our family, even at the end of its life. We have to put our feelings aside, not be selfish and fearful
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about our loss, and put our pet’s welfare ahead of our own needs. Enka had eleven years of a healthy and happy life. The last few days before her departure were difficult for her and for me. She was in pain despite pain medications. She only ate some food just to please me, and she was embarrassed when she occasionally lost control of her urine. Like many pet parents, we are faced with making ‘that’ final decision – what is best for your pet family member? You look at “quality of life” and would she want to continue to live like this? I knew Enka since she was a baby, and I knew this was not the way she would like to live. Fortunately, veterinarians understand the magnitude of this emotional situation and that this decision has to be made. And veterinary medicine has the capability to allow your pet to leave this earth with grace and dignity. I called my vet and she came to my house to help me ease my girl Enka out of her suffering. We each had tears of sadness, but knew this was best for Enka. Each person grieves in their own manner, and on their own ‘clock.’ Enka’s house mates had their own way and time to deal with the loss of their friend also. And yes, pet-mates do grieve. To help with this adjustment, I kept the normal routines of every- day activities,
and gave each one some extra hugs and kisses during this difficult time for all of us. If you have read this article to the end, I know it must have you thinking about your own pet family. The only comforting thing I can say is that you will survive this loss, as I have. Your happy memories of your shared life together with your departed pet will, in time, provide more happiness than sadness. Jackie Kellum
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Juanita And The President By Maggie Van Ostrand (Republished by Request)
I
t may be time to add one more famous face to the posters hanging on my wall, the ones of Benito Juarez, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. Someone new may be exciting enough to be placed among them. I know because I heard all about it from Juanita, the Mexican cashier who snatched the special Obama issue of Rolling Stone right out of my market basket and pressed it gently to her lips so she could kiss his picture on the cover. It all started when Rolling Stone, the always-hip magazine that endorsed Obama long before he even got the nomination, published a Commemorative Edition, including a bonus fold-out of a huge poster of Obama’s face, up close and personal. I’m glad Juanita just went for the cover because if she’d gone for a big kiss on the giant poster inside, the pages might not have come unstuck until Obama’s second term. Where was I? Oh yes, Juanita was kissing the President. Juanita, newly arrived from Zacatecas, and who has no reason in the world to make things up, admitted to being in love with our new President. With a loving sigh, she held the magazine up cheek to cheek with Obama, then rolled it slightly over to her mouth and kissed his image smack on the lips, explaining that she simply could not resist a one-way lip lock. She said she would never have been so bold, had it been my husband or boyfriend, or anyone standing there in the flesh. Juanita informed me that Obama was for all people, and that she didn’t think she had to become a U.S. citizen to kiss the President’s photograph. I could hardly argue with that and, then and there, I understood fully his appeal, not only to American women, but women worldwide. Had Obama been there in person, Juanita might have tried for a top position in Foreign Affairs. Why she was so passionate about
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him? “Because of his Mexican connection!” “What connection is that?” I asked. “It is through his father,” she said, and looked at me as though she could not believe I didn’t know that. “Would you mind explaining this connection between Obama and Mexico?” I asked, expressing no small amount of curiosity about her surprising remark. “Certainly,” she went on, “President Obama’s father, he is from Kenya, no?” “Yes, he is,” I said, both thinking that she was correct so far, and wondering what she would say next. “And Kenya is in Africa, no?” she asked. “Well, yes, it is,” I said, more curious than ever. Inquiring minds want to know. “Many years ago, in the time of the Aztecs, Spanish soldiers they brought African slaves to Mexico for work in fields and mines, more Africans than United States had. Pues, one of them could have been ancestor of the Kenya father of President Obama, no?” “Uh, I don’t know,” I said uncertainly, scratching my head in wonder. “Who can say that this is or is not so?” she asked. I had to agree and said, “No one.” “See?” she said, “No one knows. Pues, it could be so and if it could be so, it is so. It is like Heaven. We cannot see Heaven, but we know it is there.” The thought that President Obama could be part Mexican (and part Heavenly) was so intriguing that I bought her a copy of the magazine in gratitude for her creative logic. I decided that indeed it was possible for the U.S. to have an American, African president, raised in Kansas and Indonesia, who is basically Mexican. That’s reason enough to hang Barack Obama’s picture with the other greats on my wall. Maggie Van Ostrand
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COLUMNIST
PROFILING TEPEHUA By Moonyeen King
President of the Board for Tepehua
moonie1935@yahoo.com
M
exico has great gun laws, in spite of evidence that contradicts the statement. They have only one legal major gun distribution store, located just outside Mexico City. Run by the Army, it sells approximately 38 guns to civilians per day. An estimated 70% of illegal firearms in Mexico are smuggled over the border from the USA, where there are 67,000 registered gun dealers. Like all great laws they are never implemented. The underground sale of arms all over the world finds their way to the streets. Home owners in Mexico can only have 1 hand gun, no more powerful than a 38 special for protection, and
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1 ‘long gun’, no more powerful than a 22, for hunting purposes, which by law should be registered through a gun club. Only the armed forces, law enforcement and private security organizations have assault weapons. The law states you have the right to keep arms (derecho a poseer), but only in your home. The right to bear arms (derecho a portar) stops at your front door, unless you have special permission to walk the streets armed. This author has written before regarding preventable deaths after a young Tepehua girl was the victim of an accidental home shooting, where the young boy playing with grandfather´s long gun, shot his 16 year old cousin in
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the head. Fortunately, it was not fatal, but the bullet remains in her head as it would be fatal to remove it. With that comes psychological trauma that stays with her for life. Of course, Grandpa was guilty of neglect, and guns not stored safely away from children, but the lesson was learned after the fact. Why would anyone want to own an assault weapon if not for evil intent? This author has bought a gun in Texas, where, living on a farm, a long gun was needed for predators and other humane reasons. First the gun was bought, then leaving the store was required to return and buy the ammunition, so the purchases were separate. If one had evil intent, put the two together in the vehicle and return to the store and open fire. The background check was mainly from a driver´s license. Spotting a deranged person is impossible. Everyone is wiser after the fact, but only after the lives of many are changed forever. Whilst it is astonishing that weapons are in homes in Tepehua where poverty reigns, where the only valuable they own is life itself, protecting that life and those of their family is a right even if controlled by law. To be considered living in ‘absolute poverty’, means not to have access to education, health care, social security services, ad-
equate nutrition, adequate housing and basic services in the home (such as running water/electricity). Unfortunately, Tepehua qualified for all. 15 years ago there were no police patrolling the area; it was a dangerous place and a drug haven. Today there are often patrols and it is comparatively easy to get an emergency call answered. Since the Community Center became established, they have medical and dental service as well as access to education thanks to the program the center has for helping all children get into the school system and on to further education. With education will come change. There are still drugs and guns, and lack of adequate housing, but the Habitat program of Tepehua is hoping to change that, with a little help from the public/organizations in general. It will take another generation to bring law and order to a lot of barrios who have had to protect themselves. The statement “Men kill, guns don´t” is absurd. Of course, man kills if you give him a weapon...any weapon even his hands. Its part of our psyche out of control. Hopefully, the laws will be upheld by the majority. We will always have to live with evil intent of the few no matter what side of the wall we are on.
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We Have Met the Enemy, and It Is Us
Three years of fear and loathing? The world has turned surreal. News programs sanctify our fear, our horrors the real deal. A man once enigmatic tweets himself too clearly. Those truths that we held evident and came to hold most dearly were fictions in our history books. Our empire’s like the others–– built upon the backs and bones of those we call our brothers. Who is guilty of these sins? We all are, one by one for watching TV movies and not the smoking gun. Our leaders, all fine actors, draw their princely wages While madmen fire on schools, it’s children we put in cages. America, unite as one and see the truth about you. See what the whole world now sees that causes them to doubt you. If you hold religion as your reason to support this man who isn’t really all that he might purport, what religion really is, please take the time to see: “What you do to the least of my children, you have done to me.” Whatever else might profit you, this is the bottom line. God’s children aren’t all born within the borders you define. “Give me your tired and weary, your yearning to be free.” Must we scrape these words off the Statue of Liberty? Open your eyes. We are no longer saviors of all. Perhaps we never were. We turn our backs and build a wall.
—Judy Dykstra-Brown—
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COLUMNIST
By Victoria Schmidt
Living Space
I
’ve lived next to this family for a little over a year. A husband, wife, and three kids. We shared the back yard, and often saw the children outside on the monkey bars, the trampoline, and kicking the soccer ball about. Their house was walled off, so I never saw the inside…until they moved out. I took a tour of the home, and became despondent. The house is very small. There is one bedroom. And there is a wide area that served as the kitchen, living room, as well as a sleeping area I assume for the oldest son, as he was the tallest. The furnishings were mostly still there, one dresser that served as storage for their clothes and an entertainment center, a cot, a matrimonial bed stand, one closet, and a book shelf. The bathroom had no shower head, no toilet seat. The kitchen had a small oven/ stove, and a small hotel-room sized refrigerator. There is electricity, and gas. But there is very little natural light. And no real yard. A lot of repair work, cleaning and painting could turn this small house into a nice small casita for one person or maybe a couple. A very close couple. But I’ll never figure out how that family managed with five people. And I know conditions are worse in other places. I could only hope that they moved on to better things, but I fear not as I heard he lost his job. It
seemed as though the wife was supporting the family working two jobs. What now? Mexican people are the most resilient people I have ever seen. I have watched them “make do” with so very little. I’ve seen homes with no walls, no windows, and dirt floors. The woman who helped me in our former home had a dirt floor. She was showing me a photo of a new wall they finished when I noticed the floors were dirt. She was so proud of the wall, and I had to turn my head to hide my tears. Yet she always had time for my problems. I’ve never run across a Mexican who wasn’t willing to help even in small ways. I never worry about getting a flat tire. I’ve had them and there was always someone willing to help… even when my spare was flat, too. (Don’t ask.) I’ve fallen and there were always people there to help me get up and make sure I was OK. Our neighbors were always there to help out be it something small, or an emergency. Their families help each other unlike anything I have seen in the USA. And they seem to be happy. Yes, I have run into some unhappy and bitter Mexicans. One was a young woman who had just been deported from the USA. She grew up there, and didn’t speak a word of Spanish. I think of her often and wonder how she made out. She was deported here, where she had no family and knew no one. I hope she became better acquainted with her Mexican heritage and found the help she needed. I also ran into another man who had been deported. He was handing out cards and looking for work. We talked, he had a family, and he had no time to feel bitter, he had a family to support. I took a couple of cards to hand out for him. Ever the optimist, I hope they run into each other and they can find what they are looking for. I’m a sucker for happy endings. Victoria Schmidt
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Duke’s Legacy By Judy Dykstra-Brown
I
think we’ve all had the experience of accidently switching the beginnings of two words with ludicrous results, but I have to tell you my favorite story about such an occurrence. When I was still in college and for four years afterwards, I had a really pretentious brother-in-law named Duke. He supposedly had mapped out how he’d be a millionaire by the age of 30, yet he was a professional art student who never quite passed his classes but used them as an excuse to never get a job other than, eventually, night watchman at the gas company where his mother worked. My sister Sue supported them by teaching school. Duke was super-cool in his own eyes, drove a Corvette convertible and read Playboy, after which he
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seemed to have patterned his life— at least in an exterior way. After my sister divorced him, we all admitted that we disliked him and my Dad, who lived for four years against all odds, said he had primarily stayed alive to prevent Duke from inheriting any of his money! At any rate, when they were still married, my Dad had offered Sue and Duke a two-year-old Mazda—free. He liked to buy new cars regularly and usually offered us his barely used “old” cars, which we were always grateful to receive. The unemployed Duke, however, turned him down, saying they were accustomed to “more luxury cars!” You can imagine how that grated on my Dad, but he said nothing. One night when my Mom and Dad were visiting Laramie, where Sue and Duke lived and I was finishing up my Masters, my Mom, my sister Sue and I were sitting in Sue’s living room and we all decided we’d like to go to the drive-in movie. Duke offered to call and find out what the movie was. He dialed, then said in his cool-guy way of speaking, “Pardon me, but could you tell me what time the next teacher farts?” Needless to say, we all dissolved in laughter. He didn’t. He knew he had blown his cool and he left the room as we all vied for rolling room on the floor. Duke is long gone, but you must know that no family reunion ever goes by without that story being told to the next generation. Although he is now departed, both from our lives and this world, Duke will forever survive in Judy Dykstrafamily history! Brown
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COLUMNIST
Life Askew By Julia Galosy True Love Never Runs Smooth
I
t has taken me a long, long time. For some reason, we cacti only grow about an inch a year. My man, however, was already 70 years old when I was a little bulb. Don´t scoff. Seventy years is nothing for an Elephant Palm. I have been nestled against him for my whole life. Started as a tiny sprout, like those two you can see in the photo inching their way up his trunk too. I have a VERY big head start, so no jealousy there. Besides I can suck up all the water before it gets to them and they will have to just shrivel up and die. Sounds gruesome I know, but sometimes it’s necessary to jettison your rivals. He is so stalwart. Never complains. Always supports me as I climb slowly up his torso. Maybe you don´t approve of inter-species relationships. Too bad for you. You limit your own choices. It´s pretty clear that even though we are so different, we fit together perfectly. For the first twenty years or so I couldn´t see his head, only the shoulders of his outstretched arms, and his trunk, of course. I´m getting there though. I have been relaxing for awhile, leaning against him all the way up to his arm pit. My head nestles in the little crevices formed there. I can see the tops of his arms now. I can feel his heart beating. Just about twenty years to go and
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I hope to be able to entice him to give me a hug. Ed. Note: Writer’s Bio--Background Ph.D. in Organization Psychology. Currently professor online at GlobalNxt in Kuala Lumpur, and Management Center Innsbruck, Austria, residence and online. Topics: Leadership, Communication, Leading Global and Virtual Teams, Creativity, Ethics, Culture, Perception, Cognitive Styles, Leading Large-Scale Organization Change, Cultural Diversity. Julia Galosy
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Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529 Email: sandyzihua@hotmail.com READ THIS FIRST! Come and celebrate with The Bravo! Theatre at their grand opening presentation of Address Unknown, a play reading by Roger Larson and Ken Yakiwchuk, co-directed by Jayme Littlejohn and Bernadette Jones. Opening Night is Friday, September 6. This is a staged reading of a dramatic correspondence between two friends, set in 1932. We’re promised a “gasp-worthy” ending. The play runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm on September 6 and 7 and September 13 and 14. Matinees are Sunday September 8 and 15 at 3 pm. The address is Hidalgo 441, Riberas del Pilar. Tickets at $250 are available at mymytickets@gmail. com, Mia’s Boutique or Diane Pearl Colecciones. OPEN CIRCLE Sunday morning finds Lakeside residents at the Lake Chapala Society’s Open Circle, a forum on a variety of stimulating topics. A social hour with coffee and snacks at 10 am is followed by an interesting lecture and discussion at 10:30. September 8 Moods Presented by Dr. Kelly Randolph Bennett Ever wonder why you feel so different every day? Ever feel out of sync with others and even with yourself? Ever feel moody and don’t know why? Worries accompany unexpected swings in our supporting life energies, affecting our natural timing. Besides upsetting our natural rhythm, worry can subtly influence us to act in ways that are not us, which can make matters worse. Learn how to join forces with these predictable, surging life energies that ultimately shape our daily motivations and moods. Dr. Kelly Randolph Bennett began his career as a rocket scientist. Over the past 5O years, as a psyDr. Kelly Randolph Bennett chologist and a professor, he has helped individuals and businesses flourish by applying developmental psychology, Brainwave Optimization™, and meditation. He has lived and practiced (while professionally credentialed) in the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, Ecuador, and now resides with his wife “Charlie” in Ajijic, Mexico. Dr. Kelly Randolph Bennett’s four books are available on amazon.com. Learn more at www.Theascensionguides.com. September 15 Mexican Grace Presented by Open Circle Audience Members In honor of Mexican Independence Day, Open Circle will present a special tribute to Mexico and its people. Many of us have experienced extraordinary moments when spontaneous graciousness touched our hearts. For this presentation, some of our audience members will share their personal “Moment of Mexican Grace.” Open Circle offers this program as a thank you to this country for the generous embrace that has welcomed us. We are grateful for all our host country has given us: its music, art, healing, and all the riches that a culture with heart can offer. The rings in the water expand to all shores. In the unfolding wake we are reminded of how our lives are enriched by waves of replenishing Grace.
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Sept 22 Thank God for Agnostics! Presented by Don Beaudreault “Thank God for Agnostics!,” written by Don Beaudreault, is a dramatic and musical presentation of the life of Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899). It will explore topics that are still relevant today, including women’s rights, racial equality, religious diversity, and freedom of speech. Terry Gibbard and Cindy Paul will assist Beaudreault in this production. A retired Unitarian minister, chaplain, and English teacher, Don Beaudreault is also a professional jazz pianist, having worked musically with Imelda Marcos, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Iranian Air Force, and Popo the Clown (not at the same time). For fun he writes comic gay novels. He has two daughters, two granddaughters, seven dogs, two cats, and one husband. September 29 Introduction to Ayurveda Presented by Peter Steven Malakoff Ayurveda is the oldest medical system in the world, which gave birth to Chinese, Tibetan, Greek, and western medicine. Our present approach to healing has gone over to the ‘dark side of the force,’ primarily treating symptoms with drugs and surgery instead of removing the cause. As a result, ‘Iatrogenic disease’ (a state of ill health or adverse effect resulting from medical treatment) is now the third leading cause of death in the western world! Ayurveda is not idealistic, and what may be good for one person may be poisonous for another. Ayurveda always takes into account Dosha or elemental body type, season, time of day and period of life (youth, middle age and old age), and in those contexts prescribes diet, herbs, lifestyle changes and other modalities to bring about health. Peter has a degree in Religious Studies, (Hinduism-Buddhism) from UCSB and in 2004 received the Ayurvedic Sadhana Padavika Diploma from Kalidas Sanskrit University, Maharashtra, India. For the last 14 years he has taught courses on Ayurveda in the United States and India. October 6 Your Immune System and the Battles Within You Presented by Bea Gallagher Essential for your survival, the immune system can distinguish between self and non-self, friend or foe, and its powerful chemicals can destroy sick cells and pathogens. It is a complex system always at work, but it can also turn against you and attack healthy tissues by mistaken identity. It can be overactive and cause allergies or become weak and then you get sick. Bea will tell you what compromises its integrity and how to feed it properly to keep it humming. Dr. Gallagher obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Biochemistry and a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition. She also holds a diplomate in Chinese Medicine and a PhD in Integrative Medicine and Clinical Nutrition. Other training includes Biochemistry of Addictions, Nutrigenomics, and Genetic Testing. She moved to the Chapala area in 2010 and has since maintained a private practice here. WERE THEY LEGALLY BLONDE? Well, no, but Harriet and Collette were in the spirit of the event at “Legally Blonde,” the Operation Feed fundraiser at La Nueva Posada last month. It was quite a day— ladies dressed in pink, pink party favors, pink drinks (what were they?) and pink desserts, preceded by a tasty chicken salad (not pink). All proceeds went to support the school shoes project of Operation Feed, centered in San Juan Cosala. For information on how to support this im- Bunnies Harriet Hart and Collette Clavadetscher
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portant charity, check their website: www.operationfeedsjc.org. REST YOUR MIND Do you worry about what to do in a medical emergency? Cruz Roja in Chapala, with the help of local medical professionals, has created a Medical Information Kit that could very well save your life. Volunteer CR Instructor Colleen Berry says, “For a mere 50 pesos, and an hour of your time at a workshop near you, you could go home with a vial of life, refrigerator magnet, wallet card, Lakeside emergency phone numbers and a list of Spanish phrases to use in an emergency.” Cruz Roja Medical Information Kit Workshops will be held at the Lake Chapala Society on September 18, October 8, October 23, and November 12, as well as by request for local social, religious, and neighborhood groups. Advanced registration is required and the class size is limited. To register for a workshop, or to schedule a special workshop for your group, email Colleen at BePreparedLakeside@gmail.com. YOU DO WHAT FOR A LIVING? The Bare Stage is presenting Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw on September 27, 28 and 29. The story centers on the relationship between Mrs. Kitty Warren and her daughter, Vivie. Mrs. Warren, a former prostitute and current brothel owner, is described as “on the whole, a genial and fairly presentable old blackguard of a woman.” Vivie, an intelligent and pragmatic young woman who has just graduated from university, has come home to get acquainted with her mother for the first time in her life. The play focuses on how their relationship changes when Vivie learns what her Top of Stairs: Director Lila Wells Left to Right: Fred Koesling, Michael Warren, mother does for a livAllen McGill and Mark Donaldson. Front: Bar- ing. The theatre is at bara Pruitt and Emily Crocker Hidalgo #261 on the mountain side of the carretera in Riberas del Pilar, across from the Catholic Church. Parking is available in the parking lot of the Baptist Church, behind the theater. Donation is $100. The Box Office and bar open at 3 pm. Show time is 4 pm. Seats are held until 3:50 pm. Reservations are by email at: barestagetheatre2018@gmail. com. For those who use Facebook, look for Bare Stage Theatre 2018 for breaking news and updates. POETRY, PAINTINGS, AND PASTELITAS Come to the second annual poetry reading event inspired by 100 Thousand Poets for Change (now world wide). The readings take place on Michaelmas Sunday, September 29, from 5 pm to 7 pm. (Participating poets are advised to write on any or all of the following subjects: “Peace,” “Justice,” ”Sustainability.”) Says organizer Lois Schroff, “This year we plan to duplicate our events of last year by again having simultaneous readings in Ajijic and Riberas in celebration of Michaelmas, “The Festival of Strong Will.” Readings will be at the following locations. #1 is in Ajijic at the studio of Pat Apt, 5B Ramon Corona; #2 is in Riberas del Pilar, at the studio Casa Michin, Calles San Diego at Los Angeles (aka Restaurante Malta). To participate as a reader, contact lois.schroff@gmail.com. LET’S SPREAD THE WORD The Rotary Club of Ajijic is holding its third annual Catrina 5K race in support of the fight against breast cancer on Sunday, October 27 at 8 am at the Ajijic Plaza. Save the date and please support this worthy cause. More details to come…….
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LLT NEW SEASON We hear from Lakeside Little Theatre about Season 55. It starts a bit later, on November 8, on account of construction and revision activities. Here is the lineup, plot descriptions and starting dates: Lunenburg, comedy/drama by Norm Foster. November 8-17 American widow Iris Oulette has inherited a home in Nova Scotia from her recently deceased husband. Surprisingly, it is a home Iris knew nothing about. So she and her best friend Natalie travel to Lunenburg to see the home and to find out as much as she can about her husband’s mysterious dealings in the lovely coastal village. What follows is a series of twists and turns and a meeting with a winsome neighbor named Charlie. The Real Inspector Hound and After Magritte, two comedies by Tom Stoppard. December 6-15 1) The Real Inspector Hound weaves together parody, pastiche and punning to create an entertaining and ingenious one act comedy. The play is about two theatre critics, Moon and Birdboot, who are watching a ludicrous setup of a country house murder mystery. 2) After Magritte centers around Harris, his mother and his wife. Enters the forceful inspector from Scotland Yard with his constable. The offers place the three under arrest. It is not clear why: something about a parked car, a bunch of .22 calibre shells in the wastebasket and a robbery of the box office of a minstrel show. 20th Century Blues, comedy/drama by Susan Miller. January 17-26 Four young women, Danny, Sil, Mac and Gabby met in lockup. Danny, a photographer, took a behind bars snapshot and for the next four decades she reconvened the women for annual portraits. Along the way the women had children and shed lovers, earned degrees and fought for stature. Their faces changed, their minds and hearts altered less. Now the Museum of Modern Art has offered Danny a retrospective, and she wants to show the photos. My Fair Lady, musical by Lerner & Loewe. February 21-March 3 Professor and confirmed bachelor Henry Higgins makes a bet with his linguistic colleague Colonel Pickering that in six months he can pass off “guttersnipe” Eliza Doolittle as a duchess at an embassy ball. (Note: LLT is still waiting for rights approval to stage the play). The Actress, romantic comedy by Peter Quilter. March 27-April 5 The famous Lydia Martin sweeps in for the final performance of her long and glittering career. Around her in her dressing room are her dresser, her agent, her daughter, her ex-husband, her new fiancé and the company manager, bringing in them a flurry of goodbyes, tears, insults, laughs, recriminations, kisses and regrets. Ticket prices are $300 for regular shows, and $350 for My Fair Lady. The price of this year’s season ticket will be $1300 for five shows, including a $300 theatre membership. Starting this year, you can now pay for show or season tickets (at the Box Office only) by credit or debit card. For season tickets, check tickets@lakesidelittletheatre.com and www.lakesidelittletheatre.com for information. A date, time and place for Season 55 Season Ticket sales will be announced closer to LLT’s reopening, possibly in September. FERIA MAESTRO DEL ARTE It’s not too soon to think about the 18th Annual Feria Maestro del Arte, held on November 8-10 at the Chapala Yacht Club. Returning and new artists from all over Mexico will demonstrate and sell their works. Buyers also travel from all over Mexico; we are lucky to have such an important event here at Lakeside. Mario is an award winning jewelry artisan working inlaid abalone into juniper wood. He began as an assistant to a master craftsmen when he was in high school. The work is labor intensive. Each piece must be cut one by one with jeweler tools. It takes at least five years to master the techniques of this unique craft.
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A Kind Of Compass By Paul Allen allfred38@gmail.com
M
ost people know the meaning of the word ‘compass.’ These instruments range from the smaller pocketsized to much larger ones which might be found on ships. The dictionary points out its primary use as an instrument used for navigation relative to cardinal directions, namely, north, south, east and west. Usually the needle magnetically points north. This provides orientation to the direction in which one is traveling, or should proceed to. Often they have become a life-saver if one is disoriented or lost. Often a person may have one as part of the original equipment on a car dashboard. Boy Scouts are usually trained on their use, as well as military applications. Sometimes, we may hear the word compass used in an application to illustrate direction referred to other than geographical orientation. For instance, business or other plans might be questioned as possibly needing a new compass. Then, we heard the term used by a mayor in early August commenting on a shooting carnage having taken place in his city, closely followed by another in a city elsewhere in the U.S. He exclaimed that our country seems to have lost its moral compass. A pretty good analogy! This might be interpreted in many ways. However, mere morality is an understandable but inadequate reference to the deeper issue. The more effecting issue in the human being is the soul, meaning the mind, will and emotions. Along with the spirit, they are that intangible part of us that experiences and displays solid impact on life. Being intangible, it is not subject to perishing like the
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body. Thus it is defined as that eternal part of us, namely, God’s department. So, on this basis, if by ‘moral compass’ we assess that as a society we are ‘missing the mark,’ this would explain the traumatic morass we witness in our era. As a nation, and even as a world if we have counterfeited and explained away our need for Godly guidance and foundation, what else should explain our human turmoil? Taking God and prayer out of schools, council meetings, etc. is merely a small part of such trends we see taking place. Mass shootings are simply one part of a myriad of tragedies emerging in our society, and elsewhere. Shouldn’t this say something to us about our need for the ‘spiritual compass’ designed for us? God knows, and is our answer. BIO: Paul Allen became licensed to preach after attending college, theology school, and having served in the U.S. Navy. His ministerial life includes Youth Pastor, Educational Director, Associate Pastor, Senior Pastor, Christian Radio teacher and author. His book is entitled, “But God I Don’t Love Me”, followed by three ebooks on Amazon. He is currently co-founder of Home Church International with ministries around the world. He and his wife, Susana, have been residents of San Antonio Tlayacapan, Mexico for the past three and one-half years.
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Amazing Anthropomorphists By Sydney Gay googlesydney@yahoo.com
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nthropomorphism is attributing human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, objects and animals, an inborn tendency of human psychology. The psychologist I went to said humans are misguided to assume animals have similar emotional, social and mental capacities. Anthropomorphics believe Earth is a planet where animals and humans regularly share common needs and feelings. Once I went to a circus where the lion tamer explained he didn’t get torn to pieces because he understood animal psychology. “Cats,” he said, “are content if they know what to expect, social rank is important because of this, I as trainer and in the strong alpha male position, which enables me to control their behavior, furthermore once trust is established, communication between man and animal becomes affection, loyalty and great companionship. Curious to know if animals in a zoo feel content, I began looking into zoo life. The best time to visit is sun rise or sun set when animal personalities bloom, emotions and expressions become more visible. Could it be possible, a zoo is not a prison, that wildlife is more content because of regular feeding and living without enemies? Compare that to freedom in the wild, a fearfully unpredictable life fraught with predators, parasites and disease? I don’t have to be a genius to ask that question. Looking at the many sides to anthropomorphic behavior, twenty years ago I came upon the work of Christopher Bird, The Secret Life Of Plants, proving plants can communicate with humans who pay attention and listen. I hadn’t considered this before and decided to test Bird’s theory. In my yard was an asparagus plant overgrown to the bursting point, I tried to move it from the pot, I tugged and tugged, but no matter how I tugged, the asparagus wouldn’t budge. Logic said use a hammer, break the pot. Professor Bird said instead of doing that, talk to the plant; explain what you need. So I said, “Hello plant, how are you? I see you have outgrown this container, wouldn’t you like to move to a better location? I will give you twenty four hours to loosen up your roots so
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that you can slip out and I would very much appreciate if you didn’t break my
clay pot.” Honestly I did not expect this to work, I am not a professional gardener, my main interest is teaching safe sex to teenagers, anyway this plant was huge, the pot so big, one strong man could not move it. The next day my gardener took a hammer from his truck, “Wait, don’t hit it, let me try something.” I gave the asparagus another tug, it slid out with not an ounce of resistance. I knew I was on to something exciting. A few years later I began to study the work of Masaru Emoto, an anthropomorphic water scientist. “Water,” he says “has the ability to record and react to human thoughts. He photographed droplets of water responding not only to music but to the various moods of human behavior. I thought how fascinating, thoughts have a vibrating energy which water can record. Emoto teaches even a small glass of drinking water reflects what humans think, say and do, so before drinking become more conscious, thank your water for cleansing the guts and helping to heal injured parts of your body, do this every time you drink, you will feel a definite different quality of life.’ Silly and anthropomorphic as that may seem I began talking to the water. Years ago in Tokyo Japan, before the invention of Alexis, I experienced reverse anthropomorphism in an appliance store through an adorable five foot robot shaped like a Shmoo. This Shmoo had flirtatious eyelashes and perceived body expressions, when I moved to the left Shmoo asked questions, if I moved to the right Shmoo made suggestions, we talked together ten enjoyable minutes like normal people do, when I turned to leave, she said “Goodbye, I hope you have a beautiful day.” Sydney Gay
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The Soldier And The Scarf By Ardele Holden
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arold stood in the doorway of the beach house inhaling the fresh sea air. It was going to be another beautiful day. The sand beneath his slippers whispered with each resolute step as he inched his way across to the porch swing. He hung his cane on the railing and sank, winded onto the cushions. The beach was deserted at this time of year. It was low tide and out near the water’s edge, a lone figure stood. The wisp of a girl stretched her arms to the sky to greet the morning sun. Harold marvelled at the perfection of her lithe form beneath the sheer robe that blew
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in the morning breeze. A long silk scarf, the colours of the sunrise, fluttered around her face like adoring butterflies. Burbling waves soon crept around her ankles. She turned to come in. When she saw Harold, she reached high to wave from her tiptoes, as if he wouldn’t notice her otherwise, but Harold noticed. As she hurried towards him, a gust of wind snatched her scarf and it sailed out of reach. Each time she almost caught it tumbling down the beach, she was teased again. She laughed at the wind when she finally rescued her beloved scarf from a driftwood snag.
Breathless, she mounted the beach house steps waving her scarf high above her. “I caught it.” She settled down beside Harold and gave his knee a gentle squeeze. “Remember the day you gave it to me, my love?” “I do.” Harold wrapped his gnarled fingers around her delicate hand. “It was fifty years ago today - the first time I said, ‘I do.’” Ardele Holden
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Who’s On First? By Sam Shooster
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hen Lakeside resident Ron Knight last left the area in 2015, he ventured into concert promotion and live shows hopscotching across the United States. Many of the live shows are entertainment from Warner Brothers’ Animaniacs in Concert, C3 Entertainment’s The Three Stooges Live on Stage, an upcoming Gumby-Fest featuring yep, that green Claymation guy live on stage, some live shows adapted from MGM Studios, and even a 30’s style throw back produced by former Hollywood studio executive Michael Schlesinger, an ardent admirer of 1930s comedy teams. His independent film Biffle and Shooster has become a major comedy release on Amazon Prime. In the wake of the North American touring show of the Three Stooges Live on Stage, Mr. Knight came up with another show idea called VODVille. The team of major US actors with premium credits in their own right as national film, TV and dramatic award winners happened on creating a new show. They also happen to have a huge background in Vaudeville and the Golden Age of the Silver Screen. With major credits from Broadway, Saturday Night Live, Emmy Award winning TV shows, the guys revamped a new honorarium show
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with tributes to the Vaudeville Greats: a tribute if you will in the form of seven ten-minute plays, showcasing Red Skelton, Abbott and Costello, Jerry Lewis on his father the vaudeville great Danny Lewis, Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, the Four Stooges, that’s correct, including the major ones, and more. All hosted by Amazon Prime’s leading emcee Benny Biffle, of the Michael Schlesinger produced film Biffle and Shooster. It’s a cavalcade of vintage Vaudeville stars who made it to the heralded early days of film. The show is an honorarium to the classic legends that stand the test of time having become American and Global Entertainment Public Icons. Early black and white lovable clowns and comedy mean a lot to us all. Nothing today that gives us laughter would probably be here if it wasn’t for these legends.
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The Poet’s Curse The muted hush of night, the throb of silence. The “hiss” that hurts. The incessant pounding of a dripping faucet. In the relentless din, a lone candle flickers. Seeks to befriend, quill in hand, the poet? Bleary eyed, ponders, the die cast, forever set? Its sense relegated mired in the mundane, and yet, once ever so infrequently a fleeting truth. Nevermore than a thread, a straw in a stack, searches, a thought, a word, a sentence. Deep into gloom, hours before first light brandy snifter still in hand, music and spirit pour over his ever-unquiet mind. Humanity, bereft, neither inclination nor recrimination, the here, the now, fleeting moments. Sadly, he proffers, “They have no idea! They just don’t know!” And they don’t, not a one. The poet’s curse.
—Martin A. Bojan— 46
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House In The Sun By Dane Chandos Book Review by Alice Hathaway (From the Ojo Archives)
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emember chatterbox “Calenderia,” the Mexican cook who scampered around her immaculate kitchen preparing delicious meals no matter how many guests showed up? And remember “Cayetano,” the mozo, sniveling “Aurora” the washerwoman, and tobacco-brown “Nieves,” the maid in the Ajijic household of Dane Chandos, author of Village in the Sun and Calendria’s Cookbook? They’re all back, still coping, gossiping, working overtime at the inn his House in the Sun has become. There are more characters, including an eccentric German engineer who requires an oven near his cottage for baking his pumpernickel, and a beautiful 19-year-old widow with a two-year-old son whose loving husband is killed on the plaza by a rampaging bull who got away from the butcher. First published in the 1950s, when there was not a single real estate office in Ajíjic, the ever-popular books by British author Dane Chandos describe life in Mexico as it was back then. The lakeshore from Chapala to Jocotepec was already changing. Land had been bought away from the Indios by both Mexicans and foreigners. Down at El Chante, a hamlet long noted for its thieving inhabitants, there had sprung up a colony of weekend houses for the rich of Guadalajara. In Chapala and Ajijic, more houses were built and more foreigners arrived, many of them artists and writers. Motor launches cruised the lake, providing transportation from the railhead to piers at various villages.
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Whenever a launch was heard coming down the lake, “Cayetano” rushed down to the beach to see if it was bringing guests to the inn. “For,” said Cayetano, “if I were not there, somebody else would tell the Señors about the posada, and if he did not get a tip from them, then he might ask us for one, or at the worst me, and that would not be good.” This book has more descriptive detail about Mexico than the former ones as Chandos sometimes takes his guests on sightseeing trips. They take in the pilgrimage of the Virgin of Zapopan and a canoe trip around the lake. With a professor from the States, he drives to Uruapan and to the still-erupting volcano at Paracutin. “It was a fantastic sight. As though it were breathing, the volcano gave off resonant explosions, and with every breath there arose a shower of incandescent rocks. The larger ones were
hurled out of the crater. The smaller, thrown straight up in the air, fell straight down again, but the volcano’s agitated breath came so short that almost always, before they dropped again into the boiling depths, a new breath caught them, so they bounced up and down like celluloid balls in a shooting gallery.” Familiarity with Spanish and the writer’s keen ear gives literal translation of the dialogue a fresh, local, and often funny Mexican flair. Cayetano asks, “And I was wondering, Senor, if you know where the key is?” “Which key? “The English key.” “Yes, you left it here last night. What do you want it for?” “To fix the key.” “I don’t understand. To fix what key?” “The key on the verandah, senor.” “But I don’t want a key there. Which key?” “That yes no. The key you wanted me to fix on the verandah. I want the English key to fix that key, pues.” We went on like this for some time. In Spanish, apart from the key you use in the door, a wrench is a key, and a faucet is a key, and for some reason an adjustable wrench is called an English key. “I want the big little English key that arranges itself,” said Cayetano, getting pink in the face and shouting, “in order to collocate on the verandah the little key of water, like you said.” House in the Sun is the third of the popular Chandos books republished by the Tlayacapan Press in recent years. It became available to the public for the first time at a recent Book Fair sponsored by Oak Hill School, and can be purchased for the Christmas season and thereafter at Portalibros, the Lake Chapala Society, Libros y Revistas in Chapala. It is a fun book, a nostalgic look back into this area’s past. All proceeds go to a scholarship fund for needy children in San Antonio Tlayacapan who wish to continue their education in secundaría and colegio schools. Your 120 pesos will be well spent.
When Egrets Roost In Ajijic Whene’er I hear the egrets shriek Along the shores of Ajijic, I know it must be roosting time In this their land of gentle clime. Look up! White flocks, then hundreds more, Come soaring off Chapala’s shore. We stop and stare—the sighting grips us— Up high among the eucalyptus. Swifter than the fleet impala, White egrets roost in shoreline trees. Tired of fishing Lake Chapala, They’re gliding in on evening breeze. And high above in arbor mansions, They’re fighting over certain branches, Flapping, squawking, cawing, crying, Whining, screeching, grumbling, sighing. They’re settling in, at last it’s done, Back lit against a setting sun, My egrets are at last at peace, Since Nature’s ways will never cease. Then one white feather flutters down, Enough to serve as poet’s crown.
—By Mark Sconce—
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When The Dying’s Getting Done By Katina Pontikes katcpon@yahoo.com
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any of my friends and family have reached the stage in life where planning for their earthly exit and afterlife has taken front stage; that and the declining health that precedes it: People without daughters frown and fret, asking “Who’s going to take care of me when I can’t take care of myself?” Sons are usually too preoccupied with life, and unaware of handling care details to be counted on for such responsibilities. Husbands, while extremely helpful, may predecease the wives, or they my go into decline and require help themselves. What a conundrum! One woman consulted her financial advisor. He assured her that there existed a plan for just such a scenario. It was costly. Independently hired personnel (overseen by an un-conflicted group of professionals) would check on her, pick up her meds, drive her to doctors, etc. They would even be sure her favorite Snickers candy bars would personally be delivered to her weekly, along with healthy fruits and vegetables. Basically, it was a “Hire the family you always wanted” plan, with eager workers, whose livelihood depended on her staying alive and healthy. She loved this option, and I’m assuming bought into the plan while she had her wits about her. My own mother talks about the myriad issues she faces at her late age. Her adult children are scattered among several states. Many of them hold demanding jobs. Several don’t speak to one another. There is almost no agreement on any subject whatsoever, much less how to best care for our aging mother. We debate whether Eastern or Western medicinal practices are best. It’s enough to hasten her demise just wondering about whom can best care for her complicated life and estate, both if she is incapacitated and after she dies. My husband and I brainstorm for hours on what options to offer her. There seems to be no “Golden Plan.” One woman has already been in assisted-living for years. Her judgment is
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somewhat eroded. She asked her family for money for a young man who had visited his grandmother at the home. When queried about the purchase, she admitted the grandmother had since passed. The male visitor, always bringing cigarettes, told her he would visit her more, if only he wasn’t so broke. One didn’t have to be a genius to capture this scenario: Lothario in Waiting. The family was grateful to have financial guardianship in place so that Romeo didn’t hit his own personal lotto. Her scenario serves as a cautionary tale to the rest of us. A popular option is to form a living compound with one’s dearest friends. It sounds so pleasant, several couples watching out for one another. Everyone watches movies, has meals, shares the “wine hour.” But what happens when nursing duties are required, and the place starts becoming more like a hospital? Or everyone is getting too weak to support their friends? Dreadful options abound. My husband gave his own circumstances some thought. He relies on me to be his future caregiver, as I’m the younger of us. He went so far as to see if I was strong enough to support him, should I need to get him out of bed. We tried the “dead weight” lifting test. I gave it my best effort and wrenched my back. Well, so much for that plan. I personally read everything I can find on how to get ready for the final journey. I’ve learned that we are highly susceptible to fraudsters, eager to take our last monies. We must also be aware of relatives who want to “preserve our estates.” I can envision a monk-like environment being the preferred mode of living at the end. It would be so economical! I’m filled with nightmares. I’ve decided a fast, fatal heart attack sounds like a good idea. Perhaps I need to ask my doctor to take me off those statin drugs I’m taking for my heart. Katina Pontikes
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From Age-Ing To Sage-Ing By Queen Michel
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completed an eight-session class recently called Age-ing to Sage-ing. It was based on a book entitled “From Age-ing to Sageing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older” written over twenty years ago by beloved and respected rabbi Zalman Schachter Shalomi. I became aware of the class during a Friday hike/ conversation. While hiking, a friend informed me that she and her husband had signed up for it, and the class was starting on that upcoming Monday, November 19th. It would meet every other Monday through the end of February. I became instantly intrigued as my friend stated the premise of the class was about changing one’s paradigm about aging and subsequently dying. That Monday, I entered the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellow-
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ship Church building a little before 3:00pm and was warmly greeted and given a name tag to fill out. I took a seat near my hiking buddies and waited for the start of class. There were around 23 people present. The class started with introductions, the teachers Richard Clark and Rev. Matt Alspaugh introduced themselves and stated their age. We followed suit. I gauged that myself, along with 3 others were the
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only people in their 50’s, everyone else was in their 60’s, 70’s and one gentleman was in his 80’s. I remember thinking that in 20 years I’d be in my mid 70’s too and I had a whole other lifetime to live. I wanted to live it consciously and purposeful as possible. The first class gave an overview of the difference between being elderly and being an elder. I soon began to understand the negative connotations attached to aging. Unfortunately, western society is more inclined to see the ‘elderly’ the way they are described in Ecclesiastes 12 verses 1 and 3. One says, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’” It gets even worse in verse three when issues with body functions are pointed out. It states, “Remember him before your legs- the guards of your house- start to tremble; and before your shoulders- the strong men- stoop. Remember him before your teeth- your few remaining servants- stop grinding; and before your eyes- the women looking through the windows-see dimly.” That’s a pretty bleak picture of aging and being elderly painted for society. On the other hand, an elder is regarded quite differently in society. An elder is considered wise. Elders are the mentors, mediators, monitors, mobilizers and motivators of their family, community and the Earth. At the end of class, we were given journal writing homework. It was explained that our journal work was private, though we might have chances to share in later sessions if we wanted to. I remember leaving class that day thinking that as I aged, I wanted in my BEing to be an elder vs. BEing elderly. I could tell this class was going to really shine a light on exactly how to do that. I downloaded the book as soon as I got home. The remaining seven classes that met every other Monday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm were full of insightful infor-
mation. In each class I encountered rich open discussions, gentle meditations, and thought provoking; handouts, poems, and readings. It was expanding mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I took pleasure in the breakout sessions where I dialoged with various classmates one on one. I found them to be fascinating BEings, with sagacious perspectives on life, death and aging. Class was always so interesting. I most enjoyed the class exercises, for example, I planned a testimonial dinner for the severe teachers in my life. I reflected on and thanked them for the unexpected good fortune that resulted from what seemed like an injustice inflicted upon me. In another exercise I wrote an ethical will, telling those dear to me the essential things that I wanted to see endured. What I struggled greatly with was writing my own obituary. A realization I had was that the language in my obituary will be quite different from your typical program. I don’t want it to be written about my degrees, titles, or career accomplishments, but how I gave, shared, and was in service to this Earth by living my greatest and highest good just BEing. During the last class, everyone shared one final time in any form that resonated with them, what they had gleaned most from the experience. At the end, there was a ceremony in which we were presented Wisdomkeeper certificates minting the ascension into elder-hood. Afterwards a potluck ensued. We all had been on a journey together over the course of three months and I believe by what each shared that day, we all are the better for having taken the class. As for me, a path was illuminated that allowed me to re-contextualize my past and see the importance of aging consciously. In doing so, l will organically BEcome a sage, an elder and a wisdom-keeper. I like to think that’s what Michelle Obama meant when she entitled her national best-selling book, Becoming.
Tequila On Your Own By Chad Olsen ChadCOlsen@gmail.com
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hile on our annual North of the Border trip, I promised my brother-in-law, let’s call him Jim, a road trip when he joins us in Ajijic. As a lover of tequila, he has chosen the town of Tequila. Chances are if you are living at the Lakeside, you have been to Tequila—probably more than once. We have been there more than a few times, but always with a tour group. The local tour with Charter Club is laid back, informative and fun; the Tequila Express is an extreme once (but only once) in a lifetime experience. On the train ride back, tequila was flowing and my wife ended up dancing in the aisle like a wild woman and won a prize—yes, it was a bottle of tequila. There is more to do in Tequila than just tour the Jose Cuervo distillery, so this time we are doing it on our own. It takes less than two hours to get to Tequila on the new highway so we head out; with the help of Maria (the name we gave our GPS), another GPS on an iPhone, and maps. We have reservations at the Hotel Plaza Jardin. This is a nice hotel right on the plaza. The room had no telephone, but the TV worked and it was clean. A parking lot close by provides security for our car. Our first stop is the City of Tequila museum. The exhibits tell the history of tequila and many rooms are filled with hundreds of colorful bottles from the past and present. They still had something in them, but I doubt it was tequila—they wouldn’t waste that precious liquid. We had read about a tequila bar a few blocks off the plaza and are going to check it out. The name of the establishment is La Capilla, (the chapel of tequila, I guess), and claims to be the oldest bar in town. From the street signage, one would think the name is Tequila Orendain—a wellknown tequila. The owner is an old guy named Don Javier and he was
tending bar. We ordered his specialty, El Batanga (The Outrigger). It is made of Coca-Cola, tequila, lime, ice, and mixed with his special butcher knife. After three of these, just to be polite of course, we agree that dinner would be a good idea. Most restaurants in Tequila serve only Mexican food and close early. People on the street suggested the Real Marinero (Real Sailor) and after wandering around awhile, a street cop pointed it out: it was close. Real Marinero lived up to its name: the seafood was superb. At the restaurant we met a local author, Roberto Denison. He has written a brief, but fairly comprehensive, book about Tequila called, Tequila, the Town of Endearment. It has over 200 photographs he has taken of museums, historic buildings, hotels, restaurants, events, and distilleries. He plans to write another book about the 42 small towns and villages around the City of Tequila. After dinner Jim decides we need to go back to “church” (La Capilla,the chapel of tequila) to try some of the owner’s anejo (aged) tequilas he saw behind the bar. Don Javier is still there and brings down his highquality tequilas, even an extra aged anejo. “I want to try this one! Let’s try that one!” Jim is really excited. Senior Javier even lets Jim pour his own! We quit after a couple a few “shots” of the best tequilas we have ever tasted, but Jim continues on. After an hour, I look over and see Senor Javier sitting on a stool behind the bar—asleep. I figure this is a good time to head back to the hotel. Jim joins us, reluctantly. The next morning, we pick up our car and head for Ajijic. Jim is up and wide-awake. No hangover for any of us after all we had to drink the night before. As they say in Tequila (about tequila), “It alleviates, defends, fortifies, nurtures, purifies and stimulates.” We’re believers.
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Mexican Grace •
This is the introductory article for a new regular feature column inspired by the September 15th Open Circle presentation of stories that manifest “Mexican Grace.” El Ojo del Lago is looking for more anecdotes that relate the many encounters, initiated by expats or locals that exemplify the unique forms of mutual giving and receiving that define the Mexican Grace that brought us to this unique paradise—and that keep us here. Please email articles of up to 900 words, single spaced, typed in Times Roman 14-point font with a Title and your name at top to grattanmx@gmail.com and loretta.downs@gmail.com. Photos are welcome.
Queen for a Day By Loretta Downs
The woman’s voice on the phone was bubbling with excitement. “I want to take you to lunch in Chapala. The restaurant is all the way at end of the malecon and they have a two-seat pedicab parked on the sidewalk by the Beer Garden to take us to the restaurant. It’s so much fun to ride in. You’ll love it!” she said with delight. It was an irresistible invitation. We made a date. Rosemary Dineen was the first friend I made in Ajijic. We met in 2012 when I stood up at Open Circle, in the days when first-timers were few
enough to stand and introduce themselves. I said, “I’m from Chicago. I’m writing about end-of-life issues. If anyone wants to talk to me about death, please let me know.” From the middle of a row across the aisle Rosemary, in a colorful sombrero and Mexican shawl, waved her painted cane in the air and enthusiastically shouted, “I do!” As it happens so often in Lakeside, we immediately became fast friends. She was a ferociously independent person who, like me, prefers to be in control of her outcomes. She had arrived in Lakeside from Boulder, CO, three years earlier, close to 80 years old and suffering from COPD. When we met it was difficult for her to walk many yards, and impossible to make it on foot to that restaurant. We got out of the cab, as excited about our adventure as two kids entering Disneyland. There was no pedicab in sight. My eyes scoured the street and the long path lined with restaurants looking for wheels. None were there. Rosemary’s excitement quickly deflated, knowing that she could not walk the distance, and earnestly wanting to give me a new experience. “I wanted you to have a ride on the bike,” she said sadly. “It must still be in the restaurant,” I assured her. “I’ll bring it to you!” She parked herself on the first bench along the lake, where the Chapala sign now stands, while I scurried the distance to the restaurant, full of hope. A waiter greeted me as I crossed the threshold, smiling. “Where is the bicycle?” I blurted in English, and again in Spanish, “Donde esta la bicicleta?” “No funciona,” he replied, “not working.” My heart sank and my mind started to twist toward complaining. I caught myself, and shifted to positivity. “Sir,” I said, “my friend has invited me here for lunch. She is old and not well. She cannot walk from the street to the restaurant. Is there any way to help her?” His dark eyes widened. I could see him thinking, pondering a solution to
my problem, wanting to help us. In a minute his face lit up. He waved to another waiter, rattled off some sentences too fast for me to catch, and soon the two of them had picked up a large equipale chair, turned to me and asked, “Where is your friend.” We navigated out the door, the massive chair floating in the air incongruously. I could see Rosemary where I’d left her, sitting under her wide-brimmed hat with her cane resting along the bench, and a tall, young, blond man sitting beside her. It was no surprise that my talkative friend had found someone to keep her company. As we got closer it was evident they were engaged in an entertaining conversation. She looked up and saw the two waiters with the chair between them and wrinkled her forehead. The man laughed. He hugged her, saying as he stood up, “It was good to meet you. I’ll remember our conversation. Thank you very much.” Extending his hand, he helped her stand up. “Your chariot, Madame,” I said. The waiters set the chair down and smiled broadly. They helped her into the regal equipal. I have to admit to being unconfident about the two slim, young Mexican men being able to walk however many yards it was, carrying a person taller than they were, in an awkward seat hoisted a few feet off the ground. They did it smoothly, with gentle care and fervent grace. “I always thought you were regal. Now we have proof,” I said as I clicked pictures, laughing and crying over the sweetness of the moment, as the earnest young men fulfilled her wish to treat me to a special experience, even if the ride did not have wheels. Success was celebrated by margaritas—and big tips showed our gratitude. Rosemary was Queen for a Day—a day I will never forget. Loretta Downs
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT We are delighted to announce that our yearly AWARDS LUNCHEON will be held this coming September 10 at the Ajijic Tango Restaurant in Ajijic. Anyone who contributed to our pages over the course of this past year is cordially invited to attend and encouraged to bring along a guest. The luncheon is the Tingen Family’s way of thanking the many wonderful writers who are so much responsible for our success. Doors open at 12 noon. See you there!
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RAMBLING FROM THE RANCH By Kay Nevin
What a Difference a Flight Can Make
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wanted to be involved with The Ranch since I arrived in Chapala last year. The chance came when my nephew in Seattle emailed he was ready for a dog and asked if I could help him find one. Luckily that same morning, I met Carolyn Cothran at Christiana Park while our dogs were playing together. I asked her if she had any ideas. Carolyn recommended two dogs that would be a good match for a boy and sent me a link that same day. After reconfirming with my family that they really were ready to do this, I went to The Ranch. Carolyn introduced me to “Armando” and he was the perfect dog. We made a short video and sent it to my nephew who was delighted. I brought “Armando” home with me a few days later. He was so wellbehaved, played ball with my Lab after five minutes, liked my kitten, was house-trained, not greedy with food and slept beautifully in his crate. Over the weeks, he met new dogs at the park, was good with strangers, car rides, vet visits —just a great little guy. I started travel plans as I was also accompanying five other dogs from The Ranch for adoption in the Seattle area. Come flight day, all that was required of me was to check in extra early. I think we arrived at 3pm for a 6pm flight. The Ranch staff organized transport for the dogs and took care of the crates at the airport. They handed me a large pile of prepared health certificates and I was ready to go. The check-in staff did the rest. They were considerate and gentle with the dogs. I saw the crates rolled off and loaded onto the flight. On arrival in Seattle, the crates were ready by the time I was through customs and immigration. I showed the same paperwork and was guided to the over-sized baggage area where my nephew and Tori, from Street Dogs Seattle shelter, were waiting. Of the six dogs, three already had adoption parents waiting for them. One of whom was at the airport to take her sweet dog home. It is a lovely moment when the dogs and the owners meet. People
around us also looked at us fondly and shared comments of support. I can’t stress enough how easy it was being a flight angel! All you need to do is hand over the paperwork and sign some forms. If you have the time to add an extra hour at each end of your journey, please consider being a flight angel. You’ll feel really good when it’s done. You not only help the dogs get a forever home but you help to make available space at The Ranch for the next needy dogs. I definitely will do it again. Oh, and Armando landed on his paws in Seattle. He is so loved. Family and neighbors have sent toys and blankets for his crate. Interested in escorting dogs or volunteering please contact The Ranch: www.lakesidespayandneuter.com or 331-270-4447.
Saw you in the Ojo 55
The Ojo Crossword
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ACROSS
DOWN
1 Gab 5 African antelope 9 Assent 14 Author, Victor 15 Air (prefix) 16 Lab vessel 17 Prayer ending 18 Mongolian desert 19 Indian currency 20 Mushrooms 22 Macaw 24 Time zone 25 Eye part 27 Thick carpet 31 Kind 32 And so forth 34 Wall plant 35 Meditation 38 Explosive 40 Cord 42 Golf tournaments 44 Snack 46 Adolescents 47 Wild dog 48 Baby dog 50 Pretentious 51 Compass point 52 Tempo 55 Opp. of short 57 Allows 59 Private teachers 61 Highest trump in some loo 64 Less nice 66 More often than weekly 68 Mischievous 71 Spring flower 73 Furrow 74 Plank 75 Little Mermaid´s Sebastian 76 Annoying, like a bug bite 77 Library inhabitants 78 Healthy 79 Opp. of yeses
1 Gall 2 Organic matter 3 Representative 4 Chinese secret society 5 Joke 6 Scuba diving material 7 City 8 Evening gathering 9 Hairstyle 10 Stuffs 11 Strike sharply 12 Compass point 13 Stretch to make do 21 Freezing 23 Lab animal 26 Choose 28 Recruiter 29 __ -garde 30 Nomad 31 Powdered drink 33 Time zone 35 Falsetto sound 36 State 37 Civet cat´s cousin 39 Strike lightly 41 Duck 43 Cry 45 Instructional lesson 49 Standard or average 53 School group 54 Beer city 56 Acid 58 Smile 60 __ cotta (clay) 61 Horse 62 Girl in Wonderland 63 Legends 65 Aborts 67 Similar 68 Move away 69 W.C. 70 Food and Agriculture Organization (abbr.) 72 South by east
CHURCH DIRECTORY ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN Church Worship Service and Sunday School at 11:00 am 4600 Avenida Tepeyac, Guad. Tel. (01 333) 121-6741. ABUNDANT LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD Carr. 140 next to Mail Boxes etc, Tel: 766-5615. CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING CELEBRATION SERVICE 1st Sunday of each month, Nicolas Bravo #17 Ajijic. Tel: (376) 766-0920 or tim@revdoctim.com CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS Services in English and Spanish, 10 am, Riberas del Pilar Tel. (376) 7657067, President: Pedro Aguilera. Recidence (376) 762-0299. CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Services Sun. 10 am, Alvaro Obregon 119, Chapala. Tel. (376) 765-4210. CHRIST CHURCH LAKESIDE Eucharist for each Sunday 11:00 am. La Huerta Eventos Center in West Ajijic. Rev. Danny Borkowski at (376) 766-2495 or Jim Powers (387) 761-0017. HOME CHURCH INT’L Locations by calling (332) 242-8648, or email yeshuapfa@gmail.com JEWISH CONGREGATION Santa Margarita 113, Riberas del Pilar, Tel: 766-2668. lcjcac@gmail.com for information and service times. Web site: www. lakechapalajewishcongregation.com. LAKE CHAPALA BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday Bible study at 9:45 a.m.; Sunday worship at 11 a.m. at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Eddie Garnett, deacon. Tel. (331) 608-0856 LAKE CHAPALA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
The Unitarians meet Sundays at 10:30 am. Hidalgo #261 Riberas del Pilar. Lew Crippen, 766-1119. LAKESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Worship-Sunday 10 am; Bible Study-Friday at 9:45 am; San Jorge 250; Riberas del Pilar Church Office at 376-106-0853. Website at www.lpcchapala.org LITTLE CHAPEL BY THE LAKE Sun. services 11:15 am, Chula Vista,. Jal, Tel. (376) 106-1199, 766-4409 SAN ANDRES CATHOLIC CHURCH Services 9 am on Sunday, Ajijic, Tel: 766-0922. SAINT ANDREW´S ANGLICAN CHURCH Calle San. Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar, Worship begins at 10 a.m., and the bilingual children’s Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. “Coffee Hour,” a time of fellowship and welcome. Tel: 765-3926. www.standrewsriberas.com. ST. MARK’S ANGLICAN GUADALAJARA St. Mark’s is at Chichimecas 836 in Colonia Monraz.
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NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
(NOTE: If there is any change, please advise us so that corrections may be made. Call Rosy: 765-3676) AJIJIC SOCIETY OF THE ARTS (ASA): www.ajijicart.weebly.com Provides local artists an opportunity to meet, demonstrate techniques and organize art shows; and provides assistance to young Mexican artists to learn and show their work. Deena Hafker 376-766-2249 or oliodee@hotmail.com AA LAKESIDE: Alcoholic Anonymous group. Meets Monday & Thursday from 4:30-5:30 PM at the Lake Chapala Society. Ian Frasier 376-766-4990 iandavid81@gmail. AL-ANON: No website or face book. Monday 10AM at Club12- Men’s meeting. Monday 10:30AM at Little Chapel-Open meeting. Saturday 10 AM at Club 12-Open meeting. Information: Call 376-766-4409, Cell 333-480-7675 AL-ANON (IN SPANISH): Mondays 6-7:30 & Wednesdays 5:30-7:30. Meets at the Lake Chapala Society. Ericka Murillo 376-766-1788 erickamurillo2000@yahoo.com.mx AJIJIC QUILT GUILD - Meets second Tuesday monthly at 10 am. Guests & New Members Welcome. ajijicguild@gmail.com AJIJIC WRITERS’ GROUP- Meets 1st and 3rd Fridays at 10 am. Nueva Posada. Coffee. Meeting followed by lunch at the Nueva Posada. AMERICAN LEGION OF CHAPALA POST- #7: General Membership meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am. Tel: 765-2259. AMERICAN LEGION, FRANK M. VALENTINE POST 9: Meets at The Iron Horse Inn (across from the old Maskaras clinic) on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 pm. Call Perry King at 763-5126 or Al King at 737-1493 for more info. ANCIANITAS DE SANTA CLARA DE ASIS: Web site: https://rudiselj.wixsite.com/ancianitaslagochapal . Lisa Le :387 761 0002 - lisale888@gmail.com AXIXIC MASONIC LODGE #31- Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Hotel Perrico at 3:00 pm. The address is Libramiento Chapala-Ajijic #2500. Contact Sheldon Stone at (376)765-3306 or stoneshel@gmail.com. BARE STAGE THEATRE: Hidalgo #261 in Riberas del Pilar, barestagetheatre2018@gmail. com. BRAVO! THEATRE: www.facebook.com/Bravotheatre (unofficial) Semi-professionsal theatre with live theatre and ongoing adult arts education in dance and theatre. Jayme Littlejohn 331-045-9627 mymytickets@gmail.com BRITISH SOCIETY: Assist the British Community facilitates the transmission of information with The British Embassy in Mexico. Meetings are the 1st Saturday of the month at Manix restaurant for lunch and speaker. Sue Morris 376-766-0847 /331-156-0346 ibbocat@gmail.com CARD & DOMINO CLUB- Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. Call for times. We will teach; make friends! Tel. 766-4253, Cell: (045) 33-1402-4223. CANADIAN CLUB OF LAKE CHAPALA: www.canadianclubmx.com Club Objectives are: 1. To promote fellowship among Canadians and friends within the Lake Chapala area. 2. To encourage a cultural exchange and foster friendly relations with all residents. 3. To be a centre for providing current Mexican and Canadian Information. 4. The Club shall be non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian CASAS CARIÑOSAS, A.C.: www.abbeyfield-ajijic.org As part of the world wide non-profit organization of Abbeyfield, help an increasing number of older people enjoy a high quality of independent living provided through a range of services, including housing, support or care, with local community involvement. 376-766-2045 info@abbeyfield-ajijic.org CASA DEL LAGO (CASA DE ANCIANOS) CHAPALA: Provides support for local area elderly citizens through a residential home in Chapala. Ana Luisa Maldonado 376-765-2497 adultosdellago@gmail.com CENTRO DE DESAROLLO JOCOTEPEC, A.C.: www.cedejo.org Improve the quality of life for Lake Chapala families with limited resources through promoting the health and well being of the family. Calle Ocampo # 45-A. 376-766-1679 CHAPALA SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB: www.chapalarotary.org Participate in activities that will support lakeside residents. Provide assistance to international projects and meet with other like -minded Rotarians to build friendships. Meetings: Thursdays 10AM Monte Carlo Hotel CREM: AJIJIC MUSIC SCHOOL: www.cremajijic.com For 24 years this school has provided music education to children at lakeside. Students are taught to play an instrument and participate in the orchestra or the choir. There are 43 students and 8 faculty, all university graduates. Scholarships are offered to students from low-income families. 333-496-8976 cremajijic@gmail.com CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA DELEGATION CHAPALA: www.cruzrojachapala.com Offers clinical, ambulance and other emergency medical services to all Lakeside residents and visitors. Yolanda [Yoly] Martinez Llamas Consejo President 766-2260 consejochapala@gmail.com CULINARY ARTS SOCIETY OF AJIJIC: www.ajijiccasa.org Provides CASA members, Associates and guests a monthly forum to share foods, learn new preparation techniques, stimulate culinary ideas, meet new people and enjoy the world of food: in a competitive atmosphere that encourages creativity and rewards excellence. CASAlakeside@yhoo.com DAR: (At Lakeside) - THOMAS PAINE CHAPTER meets every 3 Wednesday at 12:30 noon at the Janelle´s Restaurant in Ajijic. September thru June. Tel: 766-2981. DAYS FOR GIRLS: www.daysforgirlslakechapala.org A group of women working together giving days back to girls through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions. This results in a more dignified and educated world, for the girls of the Lake Chapala area. We create hand made menstrual kits and distribute them along with education to empower, enlighten and strengthen the young women receiving them. All this because of access to these products and taking responsibility of ones menstrual situation, sexuality, pregnancy planning and hygiene. Darlene Macleod 387-761-0175 darmacleod@gmail.com DEMOCRATS ABROAD MEXICO/ LAKE CHAPALA CHAPTER: www.democratsabroad.org, www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadMexico Official arm of the Democratic Party of the
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United States, working as a state party for US citizens living abroad. The mission is to represent and serve American citizens living outside the United States who support the principles of the Democratic Party. Larry Pihl, Executive Chair 376-766-3274 larry.pihl@gmail.com, da_ mexico@democratsabroad.org ESCUELA PARA NINOS ESPECIALES (SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN) : www.schoolforspecialchildren.org The mission is to improve the educational opportunities for children with a wide variety of disabilities and in doing so, increase the probability that they might enjoy a brighter future. Mission is accomplished through provision of a clean, safe physical environment and improved nutrition during the school day. Working closely with the Mexican school board and teachers, we help support the educational programs for the children, young, adults and families. 387-763-0843 FERIA MAESTROS DEL ARTE: www.feriamaestros.com & www.mexicoartshow.com To preserve and promote Mexican indigenous and folk art. We help preserve these art forms and the culture that produces them by providing the artists a venue to sell their work to galleries, collectors, and museums. In collaboration with Mexican government agencies, we promote regional and international awareness to the plight of these endangered arts. Marianne Carlson, mariannecarlson@gmail.com or Rachel McMillen rjmcmillen@shaw.ca. FRENCH CLUB (LES AMITIES FRANCOPHONES). A social gathering for people who speak French fluently (and their spouses & guests). The group meets once a month (either a pot luck or at a restaurant) on the 3rd Saturday for a late lunch, good conversation, some drinks and more than a few laughs. For more information contact Jill Flyer, fotoflyer2003@yahoo. com. FOUNDATION FOR LAKE CHAPALA CHARITIES: www.lakechapalacharities.org The prime purpose is to attract money for the charities around Lake Chapala, Mexico and to allow those who donate to claim U.S. tax deductions for their gifts to those charities. The Foundation will also accept “endowments” and “memorial support” for any of the charities and will provide free Mexican legal assistance in setting up those endowments and memorials. 376-766-2606 or cell 331-260-7123 Admin@LakeChapalaCharities.org GARDEN CLUB- Meets the 3rd. Wednesday 12:00 noon at La Nueva Posada. GERMAN CLUB: Provides social opportunities for German-speaking residents. The group meets 2nd Thursday for lunch at 1PM. One does not have to be German but must speak German. Ing. Javier Aguilera 387-761-0777 javier.aguilera@mudanai.com HASH HOUSE HARRIERS: International running group with local chapter walks on Saturday morning, 8:30 AM, La Nueva Posada Hotel with goals of getting exercise, having fun, and enjoying breakfast. Denny Strole 376-766-0485 dstrole@gmail.com HOPE HOUSE: www.hopehousemx.org The Hope House is a safe shelter for boys ages 8 to 18. Our vision is to develop character, provide love and impart tools to be a successful part of society. Rodney Drutos 376-762-0032 oficina@casahogarmexico.org HAVE HAMMERS WILL TRAVEL: www.havehammer.com The mission is to provide learning and social experiences within a safe, supportive environment so that our students acquire: basic woodworking skills for exploration of career pathways (Level 1: ages 10-14) intermediate woodworking skills for entry-level employment (Level 2: ages 15+) advanced woodworking skills for professional employment, incl. coops (Level 3: ages 21+) skills to maintain a well equipped woodworking shop Tuition $400 pesos/month limited scholarships available Information: hhwtchapala@gmail.com. Office 376-766-4830 Richard Thompson 331-895-6866 rctinmx@yahoo.com, rcteaz@yahoo.com JALTEPEC CENTRO EDUCATIVO (FORMERLY CENTRO DE FORMACION JALTEPEC): www.jaltepec.edu.mx. A Tecnico Universitario en Hoteleria, providing education in hotel & hospitality management and an entrepreneurial program. 387-763-1781 info@jaltepec.edu. mx. LAKE ASSISTANCE: www.facebook.com/ LAG Importing equipment for firefighters and police and to distribute around the lakeside fire departments. John Kelly 331-758-0676 jkelly203@gmail.com LAKE CHAPALA BIRDERS: www.chapalabirders.org Encourages bird watching; organizes bird walks, bird trips and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. John & Rosemary Keeling 376766-1801 chapalabirders@yahoo.com LAKE CHAPALA GARDEN CLUB: www.lakechapalagardenclub.org Promotes an interest, appreciation and better understanding of botanical subjects including but not limited to all plant materials, their care and use in the home and garden. Meetings explore the many garden species and practices unique to this area of Mexico. Open to all interested in gardens and their care. Supports lakeside organizations with beautification and educational projects. LAKE CHAPALA GENEALOGY FORUM: A group of family historians meeting once a month to share ideas, methodologies and topics of interest for genealogy enthusiasts. Meetings are the last Monday of the month at the LDS Church and Family Center in Riberas del Pilar. Marci Bowman marci452@yahoo.com LAKE CHAPALA SHRINE CLUB: www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org & www.shrinersinternational.org www.facebook.com /pages/Lake-Chapala-Shrine-Club/757185090966972 Physical examination of lakeside children to determine if they qualify for treatment locally or by Family trips to the Mexico City Shrine Hospital the cost of which is financed by frequent Fundraisers such as Dine With the Shrine, Rib fest and tax deductible donations. David Eccles, President 331-017-1724 davideccles@hotmail.com Perry M. King 376-763-5126 pking1931@ gmail.com LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY A.C.: www.lakechapalasociety.com The mission is to promote the active participation of Lakesides’ inhabitants to improve their quality of life. By making this commitment we signal to the community that our focus is based not just on ex-patriots, but everyone living at lakeside. For the Mexican community, provides English as a second language, remedial tutoring, student financial aid, Wilkes Education Center and Biblioteca at
Galeana #18 and free medical checks. Carole Wolff president@lakechapalasociety.com Steve Balfour 376-766-1140 executivedirector@lakechaplasociety.com LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY CHILDREN’S ART PROGRAM: www.lakechapalasociety.com “A visual arts program free for all lakeside community children aged 3 to 18 that provides them an opportunity to explore their creativity. A Neill James legacy program that began in 1954.” Danielle Page childrensart@lakechapalasociety.com LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY STUDENT AID FUND: https://lakechapalasociety.com/public/ student-aid-program.php Provides financial support to qualified Lakeside area students to enroll in public university programs. directoreducacion@lakechapalasociety.com. Alfredo Perez 376-766-1140 apoyoeco@lakechapalasociety.com LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY WILKES EDUCATION CENTER (BIBLIOTECA PUBLICA): www. lakechapalasociety.com Provides classes of Spanish and English languages and other topics for both Anglo and Mexican community. Alfredo Perez 376-766-1140 directoreducacion@lakechapalasociety.com LAKESIDE FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS, A.C.: www.lakesidefriendsoftheanimals.org Pro vide funding for spay/neuters, puppy vaccinese and emergency care and operations for pets of Mexican nationals of limited means. We also spay/neuter feral cats through our 4 Vets WE fund humane education programs in the local schools. Operate the pet store/shelter in Riberas del Pilar. Sue Hillis, President 376-765-5544 hilliss@yahoo.com LAKESIDE GARDEN GUILD: www.gardenguild.weebly.com Limited membership gardening group promoting the interest in the development of local gardens with an accent on the exotic species available in central Mexico. Presents annual Floral Design Show, supports local projects for community improvement and beautification such as Wipe Out Graffiti project in Ajijic. LAKESIDE LITTLE THEATRE A.C.: www.lakesidelittletheatre.com To provide theatrical en tertainment to the residents and visitors of the Lakeside community: to nurture and develop existing and new talent in every aspect of the performing arts and technical support areas: and to maintain and preserve the theatre facility and properties. Tickets: tickets@lakeside littletheatre.com 376-766-0954 lakesidelittletheatre@gmail.com Collette Clavadetscher, collette618@icloud.com LAKESIDE SPAY AND NEUTER RANCH & ADOPTIONS, A.C.: www.lakesidespayandneutercenter.com Provides shelter and helps curtail the over-population of animals. Syd Sullins 376-766-1411 or 331-270-4447 adoptaranchdog@outlook.com LAKESIDE WILDLIFE RESCUE & REHABILITATION: Promotes the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, trees and plants around Lake Chapala. 376-765-4916 LA OLA/CASA HOGAR, A.C.: www.laolacasahogar.org La Ola Casa Hogar is a children’s shelter. We are an interfaith children’s ministry. Our scope is more than that of an orphanage in that we care for abandoned and abused children as well as orphans. 376-688-1005 laola@ laolacasahogar.org Becky Plinke 332-312-7756 bgnickel@yahoo.com LCS EDUCATION CENTER- Provides classes in language and other topics for both Anglo and Mexican community. Calle 16 de Septiembre # 16-A Ajijic. 766-1140. LCS STUDENT AID FUND- Provides financial support to area students to enroll in university, vocational and high school program. Calle 16 de Septiembre # 16-A Ajijic. 766-1140. LOS CANTANTES DEL LAGO: www.loscantantesdellago.com A community choir striving that is for artistic excellence in choral singing. We encourage members to improve their vocal skills and to work continually toward greater skill through rhythmic and note training in order to become more literate musicians. Our principal objectives are the support of young musicians, the performance of works of Mexican composers, and sharing our music with the Mexican community. LOS NIÑOS DE CHAPALA & AJIJIC A.C. (NCA): www.lakesideninos.org Provides financial support for the educational, nutritional and social development of local area children. Office 376-765-7032, info@lakesideninos.org LOVE IN ACTION- Shelter for abused and abandoned children. For volunteers and donations. Anabel Frutos 765-7409, cell: 331-351 7826. LUCKY DOG: www.luckydoglakechapala.com www.facebook.com/LuckyDogLakeChapala/ To provide shelter to rescue dogs, socialize them and restore them to health, and adopt them out to good homes. To work with other animal organizations to promote spay and neuter. 331-300-7144 luckydogchapala@yahoo.com MARIPOSA PROJECT: BUTTERFLIES EN MEXICO: www.gomariposa.org Objectives: Provide options for how youth can make sustainable changes and provide opportunities for change. Mac Whyte 387-761-0360 macbwhyte@gmail.com MEXICAN ASSOCIATION TO EMPOWER WOMEN FOR FAMILY INTEGRATION, AMSIF: amsif.org.mx To work with the poor, mainly women, to transform the family values in the community. Educate women so they can have a critical mind and thus liberate themselves and become agents of change through a liberated and integral education. A method of education used where they can “see, judge, and act”. MEXICAN NATIONAL CHILI COOKOFF: www.mexicannationalchilicookoff.com The Mexican National Chili Cookoff is the largest fundraising organization Lakeside. For more than 41 years the event has raised funds to support local charities in their work. The 3 day event, always held in February, features hundreds of vendors of the finest Mexican handcrafts, ongoing hourly entertainment, and a variety of food and beverages. The event is held at Tobolandia Water Park in Ajijic. The organization currently funds 9 IJAS approved charities and in the latest year made donations of 60,000 pesos to each participating charity. Jacques Bouchard 376-766-4350 jacqueandcarol@hotmail.com MUJERES APOYANDO A MUJERES: Mezcala jewelry collective with the focus to create a cottage industry jewelry making project that will give the women of Mezcala and la Cuesta a means of economic independence. The jewelry is being sold at Cugini’s and Diane Pearl in Ajijic. Doris Wakeman. MUSICA PARA CRECER A.C. / OFIRC (ORQUESTA FILARMÓNICA INFANTIL DE LA RIBERA DE CHAPALA) Training disadvantaged kids between the ages of 8 and 18 years who want to learn a musical instrument with the possibility of becoming a member of the “Orquesta Filarmónica Infantil de la Ribera de Chapala”. San Juan Cosala, Porfirio Diaz Oriente 144. Coco Wonchee, 33-3117-2927 soco.wonchee@gmail.com NIÑOS INCAPACITADOS DEL LAGO, A.C.: www.programaninos.com A non-profit, all-vol-
unteer organization that helps low-income Mexican families pay medical expenses for their children with disabling or life-threatening illnesses. Email: ninosincapacitados@programaninos.com Dave Pike, President 376-765- 3137 dave.ppni@gmail.com Carol Antcliffe carol. ppni@gmail.com “NO GRAFFITI AJIJIC” GROUP: Group of residents, who remove and cover graffiti. Paint donations appreciated. Contact with details. Email Dan Houck with graffiti reports. Dan Houck 376-766-3225 houck1022@gmail.com NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Provides young talented Canadian artists exposure and experience on the international concert stage and provides the community with a wide range of classical music venues including concerts and demonstrations to young Mexican students and musicians through an annual music festival. NSDAR CHAPALA THOMAS PAINE CHAPTER: www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mextpdar/ thomaspainedar/ Goal is to make education available to deserving students and to help the community. Contribute to scholarships for the Technical School and students in Ninos de Chapala. Contribute to Hammer Hammer Will Travel and to Needle Pushers and the Lake Chapala Society Wilkes Education Center. Lorene Fields 376-766-1658 ltfields@hotmail.com OPEN CIRCLE: www.opencircleajijic.org Provide a supportive environment for social interactions. Presentations span a wide range of intellectual, cultural, physical and spiritual topics. David Bryen 376-766-4755 opencircleideas@gmail.com, Margaret Van Every 376-766-2092 OPERACION AMOR: www.facebook.com/chapala.operacionamor Our mission is to provide free spay/neuter services for cats and dogs of persons of limited means in the greater Chapala area. 331-872-4440 cgcothran1@yahoo.com Amalia Garcia, Co-leader 376-763-5597 amgarciao10@gmail.com Cameron Peters Co-leader 376-766-4341 zo-onna@hotmail.com OPERATION FEED: www.operationfeed.weebly.com Our mission is to increase self-sufficiency by providing weekly despensas and supporting other educational and income opportunities for people of limited resources in San Juan Cosala. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: www.OA.org Monday 12PM and Thursday 10:15AM. Lakeside Little Chapel, Carretera Ajijic-Chapala (next to Chula Vista Country Club). Information: 376-766-4409, email Sugarfreeme@hotmail.com ROTARY CLUB OF AJIJIC: www.rotaryajijic.org Within the community and Rotary International, The Rotary Club of Ajijic serves as a model providing humanitarian serviced to others while maintaining high ethical standards. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, and for educational opportunities. Meetings: Tuesday 1PM Hotel Real de Chapala ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION: https://www.rclchapala.com/ To provide assistance to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, including veterans of Commonwealth Forces and, in some instances, U.S. veterans and Mexican veterans living in the Lakeside area. Being a Legion member is not required for assistance to veterans who meet the criteria. This is done through our Poppy Fund Campaign. To support the local community by providing money and assistance to specific projects as designated by our members. John Kelly 331-758-0676 jkelly203@gmail.com SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, MEXICAN SOCIETY: Lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution, not necessarily a soldier. Kenneth Loridans 376-766-2981 SoTouch@prodigy.net.mx ST. ANDREW’S OUTREACH PROGRAM: www.standrewsriberas.com St. Andrew’s Anglican Church provides financial grants to local non-profits and scholarships to public school students from funds donated by parishioners or generated at its Todo Bueno Resale Consignment Shop on the carreterra in Riberas, open M-Sat 10:00-3:00 pm. Outreach also hosts an annual “Spring Market Jamboree” the second Sunday in March in the church garden that includes live music, a car wash and unique products for sale by Outreach grant recipients. For more info: outreach@gmail.com TAILS OF MEXICO: www.spayneuterlakechapala.weebly.com Tails of Mexico’s mission is to provide free spay/neuter clinics in the municipality of Jocopetec, Jalisco Mexico to poor Mexican families, street dogs, and others of limited means in order to reduce animal suffering and help the communities in which we work. Another program is to relocate dogs to specific rescue organizations and shelters North of the Mexican border. Dee Mistrik 01-387761-0041 deemistrik@gmail.com Linda Rudisell-Hines, Communication Lead 01-387-7610688 rudiselj@yahoo.com TEPEHUA CENTRO COMUNITARIO, A.C.: www.facebook.com/tepehuacommunitycenter. org A center helping a village through education, counseling and social functions. President: Moonyeen King 376-763-5126 moonie1935@yahoo.com TOASTMASTERS: Weekly meeting of bilingual Lake Chapala Toastmasters. Open to all interested in learning public speaking. Tim Schubert 376-766-0920 revdoctimothy@gmail. com U.S.A. THINKING TEAM: www.usathinkingteam.com Office is in Ajijic for 12 years. Supported by Grandparents for a Better World. Support programs for charitable organizations in Ajijic and includes concerts with That’s Entertainment, speakers and radio shows. Contact: mexicosydneygay@yahoo.com UVA [UNIVERSITY & VOCATIONAL ASSISTANCE] SCHOLARSHIP FUND, A.C.: www.uvalakeside.org Founded in 1976, provide university/technical scholarship assistance to qualified Lakeside students. Monitor and verify the recipients’ qualifications for scholarship assistance (maintain a GPA of 8.5 or better each semester). Assure that 100% of donations for students are distributed to students. Operate as an independent charity and cease to exist if and when support of the charity no longer exists. Sue Torres 376-766-2932 mst0414@hotmail.com VILLA INFANTIL ORPHANAGE: www.villainfantil.com.mx Facebook: Villa Infantil Guadalupe y San Jose Provides care and financial support for 30 children under the care of the Catholic Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph. info.villainfantil@gmail.com VEGGIE GROWERS CLUB: Meetings are held at Huerta Organic Café, Hidalgo #212 in Riberas del Pilar on the second Monday at 10 AM. Discussions on problems with growing vegetables at lakeside, local pests and how to treat them, composting and all matters related to growing vegetables. John McWilliams 376-766-0620
Saw you in the Ojo 59
60
El Ojo del Lago / September 2019
Saw you in the Ojo 61
Service
www.tel.chapala.com
DIRECTORY
- EDITH’S SALON
* ADVERTISING / DIRECTORY
- ESTÉTICA KAREN
Tel. 765-3676
Tel: 331-741-8609
Tel: 766-5961
Pag: 44
Tel: 766-6000, 33-3950-9990
- LAKESIDE FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS AC Tel: 765-5544
Pag: 21
- MASKOTA’S LAKE Tel: 766-0287
Pag: 48
- PET PLACE Cell: 333-1964-150
Pag: 42
- PET FOOD AND GROOMING Tel: 766-3062
Pag: 57
Tel: 33-1228-5377
Cell: 331-250-6486 Pag: 10
Tel: 766-0050
Tel: 765-5973
Pag: 14
Tel: 766-4534, Cell: 331-241-9773
Pag: 55
Pag: 17
- CASA TRES LEONES Pag: 11
Cell: (045) 331-350-6764
* BEER & LIQUOR STORES
Pag: 55
* HARDWARE STORES - FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ
Pag: 48
Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440
* HEARING AIDS
Cell. (044) 33-1601-1779
Pag: 43
Pag: 22
Cell: (045) 333-507-3024
- M.D. CARLOS ALONSO FLORES VALDOVINOS
DENTISTS
* BOUTIQUE / CUSTOM SEWING - CUGINIS BOUTIQUE
Tel. 766-3682 Pag: 03
- MI MEXICO
Tel: 766-2980
Pag: 55
Tel: 766-5126, 766-4435
Pag: 10
- ART21STUDIO
Pag: 13
Pag: 12
Pag: 11
Tels. 766-0599, 766-0630
Tel: 766-3000
Pag: 45
Pag: 57
* BAKERY
Pag: 15, 40
* BANK INVESTMENT
Pag: 50
- AXIXIC SPRING CLEANING
- MULTIVA
Mexico Toll Free 01-800-681-6730
Pag: 53
- MOSQUITO CONTROL
Cell: (045) 331-498-7699
Pag: 23
Tel: 766-4828
Pag: 12
Pag: 30
* LEGAL SERVICES * FURNITURE - SOLBES & SOLBES
Pag: 03
Tel: 331-520-5529, Cell: 333-676-6245
Tel: 766-5922 Tel: 765-6602
Pag: 11
Pag: 28
- NOMAD
* CONSIGNMENT SHOP - BAZAR ¡QUE GANGA!
Pag: 20
Pag: 45
* LIGHTING
Pag: 42 - L&D CENTER
- UOU
Tel: 766-2499
Pag: 49
- PROTEXPLAN
- TIOCORP
* COMMUNICATIONS - ISHOPNMAIL
Pag: 07
Pag: 24
U.S. Toll Free 1-800-608-5743
* FUMIGATION
- CALLI
- INTERCAM Tel: 766-5978
Tel: 765-5287, 765-4070
* CLEANING SERVICES
Tel: 766-5140- Cell: 33-1075-7768
Pag: 47
Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982
- COSTALEGRE
Tel: 108-1087
Tel: 33-2385-0410
Tel: 387-763-0295
Pag: 39
- PARKER INSURANCE SERVICES
- STEAM CLEAN
- ROCHATAS
Tel: 766-0395, 1-888-449-7799
- LAKESIDE INSURANCE - EDGAR CEDEÑO
* FISH MARKET
Pag: 24
- MULTISERVICIO AUTOMOTRIZ ESCALERA
Pag: 03
- HEALTH INSURANCE
- STEREN
- LOWELL BIRCH, DC
- FRATS
Tel: 765-4424
Tel: 766-1444, 766-1344
* INSURANCE
* CHIROPRACTIC
* AUTOMOTIVE
Pag: 45
- LA NUEVA POSADA
- LONAS MEXICO Tel: 766-0045, Cell: 33-3956-4852
Tel: 331-139-8539
Cell: 333-142-0012
* ELECTRONICS/ TECHNOLOGY Pag: 14
- LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131
- HOTEL PERICO Pag: 38
* CANOPIES
Pag: 37
- DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683
* HOTELS / SUITES
- C.D. SANDRA ANAYA MORA Cell: (045) 331-218-6241
Tel: 33-3170-6135, 33-3677-3482
Pag: 25
Pag: 13
- DRA. ANGELICA ALDANA LEMA DDS Tel. 765-5364, Cell: 33-1351-7797
Tel: 766-0133
Pag: 66
- WINDOWPLAST Tel: (0133) 2303-3080
- BETO’S WINE & LIQUOR
Pag: 22
Pag: 48
- WARWICK CONSTRUCTION Tel: 765-2224, Cell: 331-135-0763
- NAPOLEON Tel: 766-6153
Pag: 18
- SIKA Tel: 766-5959
Tel/Fax: 766-1790
- ALFREDO’S GALERIA
Pag: 38
* GRILLS
- AJIJIC DENTAL CLINIC
* ART GALLERIES/HANDCRAFTS
Pag: 18
- RAINFOREST
- ROBERTO MILLAN - ARCHITECT Tel: 766-3771, Cell: 331-340-3758
Tel: 766-5493
Pag: 40
- COMFORT SOLUTIONS
- PISOS Y AZULEJOS DE LA RIBERA
- CASA FLORES
Tel: 766-0808
Pag: 34-35
Cell: (045) 331-520-3054
- CASA DEL SOL
- CLINICA VETERINARIA SAN ANTONIO
Cell: 331-331-0249
- GENERAL HOME SERVICES - Amancio Ramos Jr.
Pag: 60
* ANIMAL CLINICS/PET SHOP
766-1760 765-4444 766-5555
- GARDEN CENTER
- ARELLANO CORPORATION GROUP
Pag: 51
* BED & BREAKFAST
- ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
066 765-2308, 765-2553 766-3615
* GARDENING
* CONSTRUCTION
- NEW LOOK STUDIO
* ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
EMERGENCY HOTLINE AMBULANCE - CRUZ ROJA FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICE Ajijic Chapala La Floresta
Pag: 52
Cell: 33-1310-9372 - EL OJO DEL LAGO
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Pag: 51
Tel: 106-1618, 333-149-4536
Pag: 16
* GARAGE DOORS OPENERS
Pag: 47
Tel: 766-1064
Pag: 22
- TEPEHUA TREASURES
* BEAUTY
Tel: 763-5126
- AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS
- CHRISTINE’S Tel: 106-0864
62
* MALL / OUTLET
Pag: 38
El Ojo del Lago / September 2019
Tel: 766-4973
Pag: 57
- CENTRO LAGUNA Tel: 766-5514
Pag: 33
* MEAT/POULTRY/CHEESE
Pag: 02
Tel: 766-4525, Cell: 332-255-5972 - RAUL GONZALEZ
Pag: 14
Tel: 766-1614
- SANTANA RENTALS & REAL ESTATE Tel: 315-351-5167
* MEDICAL SERVICES
* RENTALS/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Pag: 27
Tel: 766-1521, 688-1122
Pag: 11
- DR. BEN - CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON Pag: 21
Tel: 766-4871, Cell: 333-105-0402 - LAKESIDE HEALTH SPECIALISTS
Pag: 43
Tel: 766-4800
Pag: 52
Tel: 766-1152, Cell:(045) 331-386-7597 - FOR RENT
Pag: 50
- FOR RENT
Pag: 56
Tel: 315-351-5167
Pag: 41
- RENTAL CENTER
US/CANADA: (915) 235-1951
Tel: 765-3838, Cell: 331-669-7133
US Cell: (520) 940-0481
- ROMA
Pag: 57
Pag: 56
Pag: 09, 13
Tel: 766-1777 - INTERNATIONAL CRUISE CLUB
* SELF STORAGE
Pag: 30
- LYDIA’S TOURS Cell: 33-1026-4877, Tel: 765-4742
* TREE SERVICE Tel. 766-1569, Cell: 333-968-2938
Pag: 57
- CHAPALA TREE SERVICE
* SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
Pag: 44
Pag: 43
Pag: 66
Tel: 766-2458
* WATER
Pag: 60
Tel: 765-7032
Tel: 766-3044
Pag: 51
Tel: 766-2229 Tel: 766-5792
Pag: 55
Cell: (045) 33-3502-6555
Pag: 12
- GRUPO PASTA
- QUIROZ-Pinturas Tel: 766-2311
Pag: 46 Pag: 26
- LA CASA DEL WAFFLE Pag: 11
Tel: 766-1946 - LA HACIENDA DE DON PEDRO
* REAL ESTATE
Tel: 766-2836
Pag: 31
Tel: 766-2848
Pag: 29
Tel: 766-4296
Pag: 05
Tel: 766-0061, Cell: 331-0650-725
- PANINO
Pag: 17
- PIAN - Cocina Thai
Pag: 27, 28
Tel: 766-3822
- CUMBRES
Tel: 766-2881
Tel: 33-2002-2400
- SIMPLY THAI
Pag: 05
Tel: 766-4767
- EAGER & ASOCIADOS Pag: 67
- FOR SALE BY OWNER
Pag: 07 Pag: 23 Pag: 40 Pag: 46
- TEPETATE THAI RESTAURANT Tel: 766-2020
Pag: 18
Pag: 48
- THE PEACOCK GARDEN
Tel: 331-916-7781, 001-956-532-6110
Pag: 54
- TONY’S RESTAURANT CAMPESTRE
- FOR SALE BY OWNER
Pag: 50
Tel: 331-433-6112
Pag: 30
- FOR SALE BY OWNER
Pag: 08
- TRIP’S BURGER
Pag: 19
Tel: 33-3614-8018, Cell: 333-115-9289
The Ojo Crossword
- MOM’S DELI & RESTAURANT
Pag: 68
- CONTINENTAL REALTY
Tel: (376) 766 1917, 1918
Pag: 41
Pag: 48
Tel: 765-5719
Tel: 766-1152, 766-3369 Fax: 766-2124,
Tel: 766-1994
- 7000 WIFI TV
- MANIX
- COLDWELL BANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tels: 765-2877 Fax: 765-3528
Pag: 17
- LOS MOLLETES
- CIELOVISTA Tel: 33-2002-2400
Pag: 03
Tel: 766-1444, 766-1344 - “LA TAVERNA”DEI QUATTRO MORI
- BETTINA BERING Tel: 766-1049, Cell. 33-1210-7723
* STREAMING TV
- LA NUEVA POSADA Pag: 40
- AJIJIC REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-2077
Pag: 17
Tel: 766-3379
Tel: 387-761-1101 Pag: 49
Tel: 766-4906 - AJIJIC HOME INSPECTIONS
Pag: 12
Tel: 766-5131
- HUERTO CAFÉ Tel: 108-0843
Pag: 24
* SPA / MASSAGE
- TOTAL BODY CARE
Tel: 33-1945-1479 Pag: 51
Pag: 39
- LA BELLA VIDA Pag: 25
- HANDMADE MOLE POBLANO Tel: 766-2311
- SUN QUEST ENERGY Tel: 766-6156, Cell: 33-1603-9756
Tel: 33-3615-4952
- QUIROZ-Impermeabilizantes
* SOLAR ENERGY
Pag: 37
- GO BISTRO
* PAINT
Pag: 53
- ARMANDO’S HIDEAWAY
Pag: 56
- LUPITA JIMENEZ Tel: 766-0026
- TECNO AQUA Tel: 766-3731, 688-1038
Pag: 52
- EL JARDIN D’SHANTI
- D.J. HOWARD
Pag: 46
- LOS NIÑOS DE CHAPALA Y AJIJIC
Tel: 33-1301-9862
Tel: 33-2154-6218
Pag: 51
* SEPTIC TANK PUMPING
- ALFREDO’S CALIFORNIA - AGUA LUZ Y ESPERANZA
Pag: 47 Pag: 23
Cell: 333-101-8092
- SELF STORAGE-BODEGAS CHAPALA
Pag: 22
* MUSIC / THEATRE / EVENTS
- FOR SALE BY OWNER
Tel: 766-1381
- JUDIT RAJHATHY Cell: (045) 331 - 395 - 9849
- CHARTER CLUB TOURS
Tel: 762-0602
- AJIJIC TANGO
- BARE STAGE THEATRE
* TOURS
Pag: 42
- JP HOME SERVICES Pag: 46
* RESTAURANTS/CAFES/BAR
Tel: 766-6153
Pag: 16
- SHAW SATELLITE SERVICES
Tel: 766-0661, Tel/Fax: 766-1045
Pag: 06
- STROM-WHITE MOVERS
Tel/Fax: 766-1117, 766-3371
Pag: 55
Tel: 766 3163, 766 5171
Tel: 766-5008
Cell: (045) 333-954-3813
- KARUNA YES TOURS
- BEST MEXICO MOVERS Pag: 28
- ARTURO FERNANDEZ
- HACIENDA PMR - SANTANA RENTALS & REAL ESTATE
- LAKE CHAPALA MOVING
* TAXI / TRANSPORTATION
* SATELLITES/ T.V.
Tel: 33-1402-4223
Cell: 333-667-6554
Tel: 766-3320
* MOVERS
Pag: 26
Pag: 52
- AJIJIC ELECTRONICS S.A. DE C.V. - COLDWELLBANKER CHAPALA REALTY
- DERMIKA Tel: 766-2500
Tel: 331-741-4907
Pag: 05
Tel: 33-2002-2400 Ophthalmic Surgeon
Pag: 41
- VIDA BELLA Tel: 765-4000
Pag: 46
- FIRESTICK TV
- NURSING HOME LAKE CHAPALA S.C. Tel: 766-0404
Pag: 55
- VISTA ALEGRE
- ALTA RETINA - Dr. Rigoberto Rios León
- EASY INTERNET TV Tel: 331-123-4606
Pag: 03
Cell: 33-1437-0925
- TONY’S
* RETIREMENT/REST/NURSING HOMES
Pag: 20
- YVES Pag: 19, 27
Tel: 766-3565
Pag: 38
- LORI FIELSTED REALTY Cell: 331-365-0558
Pag: 41
- RADISSON BLU - Ajijic Resort, Spa & Residences
Saw you in the Ojo 63
CARS
WANTED: I want to buy something in good enough shape to make it to the border and then on to North Texas, prefer an SUV such as an S10 Blazer, Jeep Cherokee etc. Dodge Caravan, Ford Freestar van etc. I know how to take care of all related paperwork. If you have something, please PM me here or send me a text or whatsapp to 332-804-9579. FOR SALE: Golf cart wanted. Bench seat and fairly new batteries. 331-4593685. Email: almostretired1@hotmail. com WANTED: I’m looking to buy a single cab 4x4 pick-up. Something under. Price: $100,000 pesos. FOR SALE: 2014 Nissan NP 300 Pick-up with Staked Box. I’m the second owner. It has the removable staked box that gardeners and workers seem to like for contracting/landscaping etc. Very good on gas with a 4 cylinder engine, runs smooth. Just over 53,000kms, barely broken in and well maintained. Jalisco plated. A very reasonable asking price of only $149,995.00 Mexican pesos. Email: ilerner2@shaw.ca FOR SALE: 2007 Toyota Tundra. It has a 5.7 400hp v8. Off road and towing package.Leather interior. Video system, bed liner and hard tonneau cover. Running boards. A 50,000 dollar truck (new) for 16,000. Call me Jim at 331600-2403. WANTED: Does anyone have a golf cart for sale. Of course second hand. Email: ercabell@hotmail.com. FOR SALE: 2014 Chevy Spark, “Sparky” The ultimate fun car is the ideal run around car for Lakeside. Manual transmission and uncluttered with useless accessories. Only 17,000 KM... Leaving Ajijic the end of July Asking $4500 USD. Email: rvanparys@hotmail. com. FOR SALE: 1999 Subaru Outback wagon. Automatic, AC, heated seats, AWD, roof rack, CD/Cassette/radio, Valid Washington state plates so must be sold to US citizen/resident on temporal or tourist visa and plates transferred in US. Cannot be imported or licensed in Mexico. Needs Temporary Import Permit which allows car to stay in Mexico (obtainable via mail, buyer pays refundable deposit) or Retorno Seguro with 5 days to remove car from Mexico (seller pays.) Call: (376) 765-7318. FOR SALE: Cadillac CTS. V6 / CTS / 2008 / 3.6 litros / 77,000 km. $150,000.00. Email: teffrebora@gmail. com.
COMPUTERS FOR SALE: 2016 Nvidia Shield K-1 Tablet 8”. US$150, or peso equivalent at time of sale using xe.com mid-market rate. Located in Villa Nova. Max Screen Resolution 1920x1200 pixels Processor 2.2 GHz Tegra K1. RAM 2 GB. Hard Drive 16 GB. Wireless Type
64
802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth. Average Battery Life 5 hours. Operating System Android 7.0 Nougat. Item Weight 12.5 ounces. Item Dimensions L x W x H 8.8 x 5 x 0.36 inches. Color Black. Rear Webcam Resolution 5 MP. Flash Memory Size 16 GB. Also has SD card expansion slot. Battery Type Lithium. Email: rkorting@hotmail.com FOR SALE: In-car Speaker for Cellphone. Bluetooth wireless in-car speaker phone. Drive and talk safely. No major installation required. Smartphone application included. Almost new. Asking $700 pesos 376-766-2722. FOR SALE: Logitech Harmony Remotes. ITEM 1: Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared All in One Remote Control, Universal Remote Logitech, Programmable Remote (Silver) Used ONLY ONCE. $900 MX. ITEM 2: BRAND NEW in BOX Logitech Harmony Companion All in One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices, Hub & App, Works With Alexa – Black. $2500 MX. Email: egweiss@outlook.com. FOR SALE: Roku, perfect to use Netflix or YouTube on any non smart TV. Price only $350 pesos. Free pick-up in San Juan Cosalá. I also can deliver at your home for only $50 pesos extra. Lakeside area. 322-239-1830. WANTED: Wanting to purchase a used computer monitor. Email: info@ proweb.biz. WANTED: Need a printer/scanner. 766-5322 or hombregringo@gmail.com. FOR SALE: I have a new Sonoff 2 channel smart switch. You can control one or two electrical devices with this switch, or hook it into any smart home system. Sonoff Dual Channel WiFi Wireless Smart Switch Compatible with Alexa, Control two home appliances with APP, remote control Appliance Controller for DIY Smart Home. Asking $365 pesos. Send me a message peteredwards052@gmail.com. FOR SALE: FOR PARTS. ASUS MODEL #X5400l. No H.D. or battery. Windows 10. Screen is 15” and clean. KB good, no worn letters. A few scratches on case. $500, you pick up in Chapala. 376-765-6348.
PETS & SUPPLIES
FREE: Please help me find a home for this wonderful puppy. I believe she is about 4 months and won’t get much larger. She is very intelligent. She is already potty trained and knows to sit and come. She is the perfect size dog for airplanes and travel. I was trying to help the local store but I just simply can’t afford to continue and would hate to take her back because they were way over capacity at the time but I know a wonderful dog when I see one and I just couldn’t pass the opportunity to give her the attention she needed and now she has blossomed into a truly wonderful companion. Email: amber.skiles@gmail. com.
El Ojo del Lago / September 2019
FOR SALE: Use Pet Carrier. In good condition. 36” x 28” x 24” Used to carry our medium size dog 30 lbs with room to spare. $2000p or Best Offer. Contact Phil: 331-340-8115 or preitano@netzero.net.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE FOR SALE: This a beautiful 1998 Honda Magna 750cc, 4 cylinder motorcycle, lots of chrome, comfortable, customized seat and new tires, only 25,000 miles and in great condition, owner needs surgery and needs to sell this fast. Price is $70,000 pesos, test me at 332-804-9579 and I can e-mail pictures. FOR SALE: I have a Sea Eagle SL370 inflatable Kayak in excellent condition. I bought it new about a year ago, and it has only been in the water ONE time. It’s advertised to accommodate 3 people. Plenty of room for 2 adults and a dog though. Included are 2 life vests, 1 up to 110 KGS, 1 up to 120 KGS.....both “like new” and only used once. I paid around $8000 pesos for all of this. My New FIRE BLAZIN’ PRICE is $3995 pesos Or Best Offer. Jeff Cell: 353-563-5283 email: jabburnham@yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Have a good, sturdy inversion table stored in Ajijic, not using it, will take $1200 pesos. PM me or text me at 332-804-9579. FOR SALE: Steren corded and cordless phone. Bought new approx. 4 years ago for $1629 pesos. Price: $400 pesos. Works well. If interested, either pm me or call 331-382-4771. FOR SALE: We have 25 meters of LED rope lights $875 Pesos. One piece is already cut into 8 meters; balance can be cut into 1 meter sections, depending how much you need. Price per meter is $35p, plus $75p for connectors. If interested please call 331-382-4771. FOR SALE: Light fixtures suitable for wall or ceiling. We used for ceiling, but would work just as well for a small bathroom. We have two, but one of the globes on one is broken (the glass part). That is why we are selling so cheaply (the second one is free). Perhaps you can find another glass part. Price: $750 pesos. If interested please call 331-382-4771 or send me a pm. WANTED: I want to buy a tow dolly to tow a vehicle with a motorhome, I do not need license plates as a tow dolly does not require plates in Mexico nor Texas. If you have one or know of one, please PM me here or text me at 332804-9579 or whatsapp if you want to send a picture. FOR SALE: WINTEC GAITED HORSE SADDLE Used about 5 times (my horse died of colic) 16 inch, Custom ordered, CAIR system Mint condition, and extremely comfortable. (original cost $1100. Sell for $ 500.) Email: robert.chapala@gmail.com. FOR SALE: InogenOne G4. Porta-
ble oxygen concentrator needs no tank. Provides 5hrs of concentrated oxygen before charging is required. Lightweight (approx 2 lbs) and easy to use at home, on the go, in car or airplane. Includes double rechargeable battery, power cord, and over- the-shoulder carry bag. Used twice. $47,000 pesos ($2,500 USD) 376-765-5607. FOR SALE: Wheelchair $1350 pesos; Walker $400pesos; Massage Table (Used once from Costco) $2,000pesos. Email: frankcampb@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Wonderful new camera that ended up being more than I wanted to haul around. Paid $ 650 US, used only on one trip last year- includes two lenses, accessories and beautiful leather case and will take best offer. Top reviews and ratings for Panasonic Model DMC-GX85k/DMC-GX85. Contact: Sophia Rose at catalystresource@gmail. com (I’m away so can’t be called- returning 9-1-19) FOR SALE: Want to rent an acoustic nylon string guitar for the month of August - quality not important - as long as it holds tune. Need for songwriting during residency. Please e-mail dlarcheuk@yahoo.com or call 340-626-8815. WANTED: DVD Player. Email: camillenparadise@hotmail.com. WANTED: Looking for someone to share a mailbox at iShop in San Antonio. Gives you a US address in Laredo, TX. $140 for 14 months. Email: whwlakeside@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Panasonic KX-TG6411 Cordless Phone with 2 Handsets plus Spare Handset. I recently bought a 2 Line Panasonic phone which is replacing this single line one. Panasonic makes great phones that last and last. I bought this one in 2009 and last year one of the handsets had a problem after 9 years. I planned to keep this phone, so I bought 2 new replacement handsets. Hence I have 3 working handsets and 2 charging bases. You can keep the extra handset as a spare or use it as a third handset by rotating it in one of the charging bases, In addition to caller ID, this phone has a call blocking feature that you can use to block specific numbers from calling you. I have a copy of the manual (English) in digital format. Price is $750 pesos. Call Mike 376-766-2275. FOR SALE: Used Eiki 7070 Stereo CD Cassette Player Recorder, variable pitch/speed for CD’s. Brought it down from Canada but it is like this one on EBay. Great for dance teachers or playing your favourite cassettes. Asking $500 pesos. Call: 766-2722. Please leave a message. FOR SALE: Inflatable boat (Dingy) 9 foot- 6 inches long, 4 person capacity, good condition, no leaks. Included are 2 orrs, original owners manual, and a foot pump. New at West Marine $1,200 usd, asking $400 usd. Also for sale a hard to find Evinrude 15 horse power, long shaft, outboard motor, Including gas tank, en-
gine fresh water connection device and the original owners manual. $450 usd. richard.barbi@gmail.com. FOR SALE: PHILIPS PERFECT PIXEL 50” TV with “Extreme Motion Sharpness” for ONLY $5,000 pesos. Works great and we’re sad to see it go after 10 years. Stunning colors and contrast, and full HD (1080 p). Remote included. 376-765-5454. FOR SALE: I need a metal worker to give me an estimate on a permanent carport. Any information from anyone on a reasonably good contractor. Email: glws7777@gmail.com. We are in Chapala. FREE: Calendar with a lesson every day. Six CD’s of Ken Wapnick and A course in Miracles volume 2 , workbook lessons cards for students. I am not selling these for myself but would appreciate a donation to a charitable group. Can reach me at 766 0175 or mycasa17@ gmail.com FOR SALE: Two Check -N Sized Suitcases/One Black American Tourister 10X17.5X25 inches and one Skyway 9.5X16X27. Both in good shape. Asking $300 pesos each. Call: 766-4360. FOR SALE: Google Pixel 3 128 GB Black Color (model was announced
September 2018) $350 USD or pesos equivalent 128 GB storage Unlocked for Verizon. Used on AT&T at Lakeside. Comes with charger Immaculate condition. No signs of wear. Purchased April 2019. Contact George at 376-766-3792 or 332-4942886. FOR SALE: Bodyfit Recumbent Bike. Bought for $8000p. Will sell for $6000.p. Call: 765-6455. WANTED: I need a set of men’s dumbbells. Email: jmm46@gmx.com. FOR SALE: 50-100-150 watt bulbs. I have 27 of these bulbs from a longago Amazon order. My lamps no longer function, so the bulbs are extra. Any interest anyone? Email: pablosemanas@ gmail.com. WANTED: Would like to purchase used treadmill. (not too big). Email: frankcampb@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Generador Gas JP2500 Bull Power 5.5 H.P. I buy high and sell low. Take $1000.00 off the price I paid and not have to worry anymore. When you pick it up at Chapala Haciendas 2, I’ll show you how I wired it in everyroom. $5,999.00. Email me at Talosian70@hotmail.com or call 376-765-6348 (Spanish OK) The price is firm.
FOR SALE: Sony Audio Control Center (receiver/amplifier) & Sony 5 CD changer & 2 KLH speakers 8”x12”, $2500 pesos or best offer. Sharon 331196-6423. FOR SALE: Paint Compressor, Call: 376-765-6348 Talosian70@hotmail. com. WANTED: Want to buy wood working power tools, radial saw, drills. table saw. Email: info@proweb.biz. FOR SALE: Very old print of a picture, maybe 100 years old. 27 by 33 inches. $2000 pesos. felixbb@yahoo. com. FOR SALE: I have ten of these beauties, made from a Guamuchil tree I had to take down. Ideal to serve tapas, apetizers, cheese. They have been brushed and natural, ready to stain or keep natural. Average size 12 inches. felixbb@yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Westinghouse Freezer. Excellent shape outside, somewhat used inside, working fine. 62 height, 32 wide and 30 deep. $2000 pesos. felixbb@yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Very nice climber for just $700 pesos, it counts steps, calories, Call: 331-415-9195.
WANTED: Want to purchase wood working tools. Circular saw, hand tools, power tools. If you have any wood working tools please contact me. Email: info@proweb.biz. WANTED: Want to purchase fishing gear to use around Lake Chapala. Please contact me if you have tackle, rods, reals. Email: info@proweb.biz. WANTED: In search of tile saw. Please email me at other.br@gmail. com. FOR SALE: Fujifilm Finepix SL1000 camera. The camera si in Very Good Condition. It has the Japanese Lens! It comes with two batteries, charger, original owners manual, power cord and the CD disc. The camera has a 50x power zoom. Takes super pictures. Asking $3,600 Pesos. 765-2698. FOR SALE: Jensen wall mountable home stereo system cd player am/fm receiver + remote $800.00. Email: nunez. chavez.jorge@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Original Prada Shoes, size 24.5 Mexican, Only 1 time was used, price $3000 pesos. Call to Alma 331-005-3109. FOR SALE: Individual Brass Headboard, Price $2,200.00 pesos. Call to Alma 331-005-3109.
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El Ojo del Lago / September 2019