El Ojo del Mar - April 2011

Saw you in the Ojo

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Saw you in the Ojo

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FEATURE ARTICLES

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COVER STORY

Duncan Aldric writes about the “dancing horses” of Sayulita—and being an experienced horse trainer, Duncan can recognize high quality horse-flesh when he sees it.

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HUMAN INTEREST

COVER STORY

Index...

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 9  D IR EC T OR Y  PUBLISHER Richard Tingen

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: 01-800-765-3788

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Gabrielle Blair recounts a moment involving a little Mexican beach boy who has stuck in her memory.

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ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Roxanne Sumners has done the research on chia, a herb which has been a cure-all since the time of the Aztec Empire.

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GARDENING

Ed Tasca relates his on-going battle with the cutter-ants of Mexico. At present, there seems little hope of a diplomatic settlement.

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BOOK REVIEW

Jay White reviews The General and the Jaguar, aka General Pershing and Pancho Villa, an book about a historical moment when these two legendary figures happened to come within their rifles’ cross-hairs of each other.

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WEATHER (sort of . . .)

Peter Rosenberg relates a true story of encountering a abrupt change of the weather on Mexico’s west coast that seems something out of The Twilight Zone.

FINDING THE MAGAZINE At El Ojo Del Mar we are committed to ensuring the magazine is available to all English-speaking readers between Manzanillo and Mazatlan. To that end we have added delivery points in such small communities as Punta Perula, Lo De Marcos, La Peñita de Jaltemba, El Monteon, Playa Los Cocos, and El Vainillo, in addition to expanding our distribution in the larger cities and towns. Look for the new edition of the magazine between the 20th and 30th of each month. If you know of locations along the west coast with English-speaking residents that are not receiving the magazine, please drop us an e-mail at info@elojodelmar.com and we will add it to our delivery list.

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Associate Publisher David Tingen Director of Marketing Bruce Fraser Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Jazmin Eliosa Associate Editor Jim Tipton Contributing Editor Paul Jackson Contributing Editor Mark Sconce Staff Photographer Xill Fessenden Staff Writers Ilse Hoffmann Floyd Dalton Sales Manager Bruce Fraser 333 559 2046 info@elojodelmar.com Office Secretary Iliana Oregel

ADVERTISING OFFICE Calle Niza #152, Puerto Vallarta Send all correspondence, subscriptions or advertising to: El Ojo del Mar www.elojodelmar.com info@elojodelmar.com Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528 PRINTING: El Debate El Ojo del Mar aparece los primeros cinco días de cada mes. (Out over the first five days of each month) Certificado de Licitud de Título 3693 Certificado de Licitud de Contenido 3117.

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Distribución: Calle Niza #152, Puerto Vallarta All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Mar. 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.

By Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez The Undirectable Director

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age 85, and with his passing died the era of natural-born storytellers, charismatic film writers/directors whose own lives would have made spellbinding movies, and whose blunt talk often masked a tenderness that usually showed only in their films.

Such men stand in humbling contrast to many of the modern-day filmmaker nerds who understand special effects better than they do human nature and value the size of their budgets over the artistic merit of their movies.

ALEJANDRO GRATTAN is a former screenwriter/ film director who has published seven novels. Two of his novels are in over 1000 libraries in the US and Canada. He co-founded the Ajijic Writers’ Group 23 years ago and has been the Editor of El Ojo del Lago for the past 16 years. grattan@prodigy.net.mx

udd Boetticher led a life that had more ups and downs than an elevator, but his was a life from which legends are made. To this day, old-timers in both Mexico City and Hollywood still speak of him with great respect, even though he never broke into the pantheon with bullfighting, he embarked on a of world-famous film directors like grand venture: a documentary film Ford, Hitchcock and Huston. In about the world’s most famous matmany respects, he was much like ador, the incomparable Carlos Arthe immensely talented and flamruza. But funding for the film proved boyant John Huston—but without elusive and Boetticher had to spend Huston’s inexhaustible good luck. years trying to raise the financing—a The adopted son of a wealthy quest which might have been comifamily, Boetticher first journeyed to cal except that it landed him first in a Mexico in the late 1930s, and soon nightmarish Mexican insane asylum, was hooked on what became two and then a brutal federal penitentiary. of the three great passions of his life: These mind-and career-altering bullfighting and Mexico. (The third events were only a was film-making.)

In time he became Then, at the height of warm-up for what a full-fledged mata- his fame and top of his followed: the development of an dor whose courage and skill earned him game, his luck went almost fatal lung the admiration of south. Unable to find infection, the nearloss of his most cherMexico’s most illustrious bull-fighters. work in Hollywood, he ished project, the It also paved his way decided to go south rupture of his marinto movies. Within himself—back to his riage to the lovely film star Debra Pagthe next ten years, et, a long period of he would co-write beloved Mexico. wretched poverty, and direct two of chicanery and treachery at every the finest films ever made about the turn, the death of the best members sport, The Bullfighter and the Lady of his film crew, personal and profeswith Robert Stack and Joy Page, and sional disgrace and finally, devastatThe Magnificent Matador with Aningly, the sudden death of the star of thony Quinn and Maureen O’Hara. his project, Carlos Arruza, which left Later came a series of superb the documentary only half-finished. low-budget westerns starring the But Boetticher had more inner revastly underrated Randolph Scott, serves than the average man: having and a busload of unknown actors been a star athlete in his youth, he who later became famous: James soon recovered his physical health, as Coburn, Richard Boone, Lee Marvin, well as that imperishable determinaRock Hudson, Anthony Quinn and tion possessed by all truly dedicated Glenn Ford. All of them received one men. Pulling his crippled career and of their early breaks under the gifted life together, he eventually found a directorial hand of Budd Boetticher. way to complete the Arruza docuThen, at the height of his fame and mentary, which though never widely top of his game, his luck went south. released, eventually found great favor Unable to find work in Hollywood, he with film critics and matadors alike. decided to go south himself—back Budd Boetticher died in 2001 at to his beloved Mexico. Still obsessed

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Dancing Horses at Sayulita Days

By Duncan Aldric

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t was excitBut I am ing today to glad for get up and his suggesmeet friends on the tion and was beach early. This pleasantly was lucky because surprised at it led me to watch what I discov“Caballos de Baile”, ered. or Mexican Dancing HorsTo be sure, es. It is Sayulita Days in Sayuthese were not lita and every day is something Olympic horses, but the new. training, for the most part, I trained horses to 4th level in was superb and some of the Dressage and participated in Dreshorses were even “built right” accordsage clinics led by Olympic Gold Meding to the German way of thinking. alists and have been honored to ride There was freedom of movement in horses up to the Prix St. George and the shoulders and the frame was conIntermediate levels. To watch Remstructed slightly uphill (the withers brandt win the gold medal on VHS is were slightly higher than the croup), to have emotion fill which helps facilitate your breast and tears Therefore I was not chi energy to move well up in the eyes. I expecting much from from the haunches, have had the privithe back “dancing horses,” Mex- through lege to host his rider, into the shoulders Nicole Uphoff from ican style. I was wrong. and through the Germany, at my farm post point (the point in Virginia, when I still owned it. where the skull attaches to the verteWhen my friend Sasquatch, a brae). This, in turn, allows the horse beach DJ and full-blooded native to lift from its haunches from underteacher from the Cree tribe in Canada, neath itself, and seem to float as it suggested I watch the dancing hors“dances.” The French word for this es, he may have noticed a furrowing movement is Piaffe. of my brows and a slight sneer emaBasically it is a movement found nating from my lips. I was thinking, naturally in young frisky horses, as “What can these horses show me, I are all Dressage movements, runhave been around the world´s best.” ning around in the paddocks. These

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natural movements are later developed by the trainer in the adult horse to be obeyed on command through the rider´s seat and hands into and through the horse. Piaffe is not introduced into competition until years of training at the Prix St. George level due to its overall difficulty, physical intensity and required concentration by the horse. Therefore I was not expecting much from “dancing horses,” Mexican style. I was wrong.

The Sayulita horses moved up through their lower haunches to (seem to) leap forward, launching forward, yet constrained by true balance and chi energy to stay in place… dance… elevate. It occurs to me a dream I had a couple of days earlier makes a good allegory wherein Sasquatch came leaping toward me through a thunder clap in the sky; I felt chi energy through his shoulders and head pushed beyond me yet he never actually moved forward physically. Mysterious world, this, but that is the sense you get when a horse moves correctly.

These Mexican trainers know the true movements of the horse and how to train this to the fullest ability of a particular horse… they also know

how a horse is constructed to achieve maximum benefit.

Add to that the live music, the crowds (whom all seemed to have food in their hands) and the overall festive mood, and anyone with eyes to see could enjoy Sayulita on this day. Three bands were close and each pulled you in their respective directions. Children stared wide- eyed with smiles on their faces sometimes turning to whisper something to their friends. Old men laughed with pride in Mexico´s Dancing Horses while the women cheered on the particularly flashy moves. There was a true community feeling bringing together the diversity of the witnesses. Indeed, Sayulita is a multiverse of things to experience. As Sasquatch would say, “Small camp, large fire..”

DUNCAN ALDRIC Born and raised in Virginia, BA in Philosophy and a BS in Telecommunication Media. Professional horse trainer. 20 years motorcycle enthusiast, five years total time living in Mexico.

Currently writing a novel.

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JAVIER’S J AVIER R’S TREASURE TREASURE

SURPRISE!

By Gabrielle Blair

Courtesy of Gloria Palazzo

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e was standing, crippled legs spread wide, like a giraffe, and he was digging furiously like a mole with both hands, one of which A bossy woman told Javier to was also crippled, sending up put them back while she would the sand in a spray behind him. find out what should be done Politely I asked him to be careful about them. It was agreed that and he shot me a huge smile. His they were turtle eggs. This was name was Javier and he was seven confirmed by the two officials from years old he said, with an ear-tothe hotel, who said that they must ear grin. be covered and left to hatch. BeJavier resumed his digging a litsides, it was illegal to remove them. tle further from my Obediently Javibeach chair, and “You are a hero”, we er gently put them when he was about a foot down, he said to him, and he all back in their held up his found beamed his stunning hole, replaced the and marked treasure: a perfectsmile, then shuffled sand the spot with sticks ly round, white ball, the size of a ping- off on his malformed and a little pile of pong ball. When I little legs to wade in stones.

“You are a hero”, touched it, the skin we said to him, gave a little, then the shallow waves. and he beamed bounced back. his stunning smile, then shuffled “It’s a rubber ball,” I told him. off on his malformed little legs to He went on digging and a mowade in the shallow waves. ment later, produced an identical As I watched him, I imagined rubber ball. Soon his sister had the night when the turtles had joined him and together they proshuffled up the beach, to deposit ceeded to scoop out of the hole, their eggs, in the very spot where, one ball after another. There must during the day they’d soon be have been a dozen of them. By covered by sun-tanning vacationnow, a stir had been created and a ers occupying the rows and rows few people began to gather. ‘Turtle of white beach chairs, oblivious to eggs’, they said, a bit in awe. the treasure concealed beneath them—“Javier’s treasure!”

GABRIELLE BLAIR had a career as a dancer with ballet companies in England, South Africa and Canada. When she left the stage, she became a dance teacher and was head of the Dance department of a performing arts high school in Toronto for many years.

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e grasped me firmly but gently just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone. He approached me Al h h I kknew nothing hi Although soundlessly, from behind, and about this man, I felt oddly trustspoke in a low, reassuring voice ing and expectant. This is a man, close to my ear. “Just relax.”

I thought. A man used to taking Without warning he reached charge. A man not used to taking down and I felt his `no’ for an answer. his hands A man who would strong, calloused When hands start at moved up onto my tell me what he my ankles, gently wanted. A man probing, and mov- thighs, I gave a slight who would look ing upward along shudder, and part- into my soul and my calves slowly say, “Okay, ma’am,” ly closed my eyes. but steadily. My said a voice. “All breath caught done.” in my throat. I knew I should be My eyes snapped open and he afraid, but somehow I didn’t care. was standing in front of me, smilHis touch was so experienced, so ing, holding out my purse. “You sure. can board your flight now.”

When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt GLORIA PALAZZO his knowing fingers caress my abcame to live in Mexico domen, my rib-cage. And then, as 14 years ago after a two he cupped my firm, full breasts in year stint in the Peace his hands, I inhaled sharply. ProbCorps, Ecuador. Her pasing, searching, knowing what he sion for art and writing blossomed wanted, he brought his hands to and is evident by her contributions my shoulders, slid them down my to the Ojo del Mar and exhibitions tingling spine and into my pantof her art in galleries and museums ies. in several parts of Mexico.

A LURE

By David Bryen

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ired of scooping salamanders from under the surface of the lake, naming them and racing them against her younger brother’s hoard, she ran randomly swinging from side to side up to me with a new idea: “Daddy, as if caught in a vortex she couldn’t can I take the Aqua Pod out and go escape. I rushed out to the dock fishin? I wanna catch a fish.” to hear her terrified and terrifying Standing up from my chair, I scream: “DADDY, DADDY! COME GET tossed her a faded orange life vest THIS FISH! COME RIGHT NOW! HELP and helped her strap it on: “Which ME! I CAN’T GET TO SHORE!” pole do you want to use?”

Her puffy cheeks, reddened eyes, “The fly rod. Will you put your favoice hoarse from screaming for help, vorite fly on it?” shirt stained by tearful drool, her lit“It’s already on.” I’d been thrashing tle hands in vain struggled to control the lake water in vain trying to perthe double ended paddle and corral suade a fish to my dinner table with the doubled over, throbbing fishing my seductive $1.49 Muddler Minpole she’d jammed against her seat. now fly, supposedly the local’s best “Let the line go free and paddle to for landing the big ones. We’d seen shore!” Screaming so she’d hear me: the silver sides of a few salmon roll “Don’t worry about the pole!” not far from shore. Maybe her luck She struggled to the dock and I would be better than mine. When lifted her sagging body then the pole she was only six years old she’d deout of the boat. The clared herself a vegetarian, routinely “Let the line go free salmon, exhausted spitting out or gag- and paddle to shore!” from towing her around the lake, ging on dead flesh so she’d was easy to land. whenever we could Screaming convince her to eat hear me: “Don’t worry The collective fury of 10,000 powerless “real” food, so fishpeople possessed ing didn’t make a lot about the pole!” her young body, of sense. I admired and like a genie grew 10 feet as she my little darling for heading out stood over that vanquished king. alone and who was I to question the Her fists were clenched and would urge that pulled her. have clubbed it to death except for With the pole ready my bright her fear of this ocean-grown leviablond second grader shoved away than. Nearly as big as she was, that from the dock in the kayak and I three foot long silver savage lashed shouted my final bit of wisdom: the dock with its tail, starving for air, “Don’t forget to spit on the fly!” a tradesperately seeking escape from this dition taught to me by my Montana rabid seven year old girl hurling crimold-timer Uncle Noah. He’d taught son diatribes its direction: “I HATE me everything important about fly YOU FISH! I HATE FISHING! I HATE fishing and spitting. He would have THIS LAKE! I HATE FISHERMAN!” been proud, too.

And I thought immediately of The I went back in the house to read.

Old Man and the Sea and how that Who knows how long, for her an fish caught him and pulled him like eternity, finally her frenzied movedestiny. I didn’t have time to ponments out in the lake caught the der long: “THROW IT BACK, THROW edge of my eye. I grabbed the binIT BAAAAACK!!!” her words disapoculars and in horror watched her peared into an inaudible shriek. struggling to wield the boat back to “Karis, it’s a good fish and we can safety. It had imposed its own will,

eat it.”

“NOOOOOO!” I never expected such vehemence, or such volume and I immediately tore the hook from its mouth, amazed at the authority fear authorizes, and with complete obedience to her ancient bone rattling demand, grabbed its writhing tail and pushed it back and forth in the water to get oxygen across its gills while she screamed: “HURRY, DADDY, HURRY! GET IT OUTTA HERE!!” As soon as the revived salmon tore off, she melted into my arms, convulsive sobs heaving all the way to her toes. With her hands buried in my back she managed, through the broken cadence of her crying: “I tried to bite the line, but I knew it was your favorite lure.”

Uncomforted by the breadth of my love she fled upstairs, threw herself into bed burying her head as far as possible under her pillow. As if she had been asked to accept too much, she clamped her shoulders to her ears in refusal, stuffed her fists in her eyes, and pounded the bed with her feet. Shaking the cabin with her sobs, she fell asleep alone trying to escape what she went fishing for and what caught her.

After a 36 year career as a psychotherapist, David Bryen retired in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico to turn the insights he has gleaned from his career into written form. His first published book was “The Man Loves the Wine She Serves Through Her Body: An erotic encounter with the Divine Feminine.” david@davidbryen.com

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BRIDGE B RIDGE B BY Y THE THE SEA S EA

By Ken Masson masson.ken@gmail.com

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he Annual Valentine’s Sectional Bridge Tournament was once again a big success this February. Many thanks are due to the organizing committee who made sure that everyone had a good time by providing a pleasant playing area with complimentary snacks throughout the course of the event provided by members of the Bridge Club.

While most bridge enthusiasts enjoy the competition and added masterpoints available at tournaments, many club players fear the “computer hands” which are the norm in the pairs games. There is a deep-seated suspicion that somehow the com-

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puter conspires to produce devilishly complicated hand layouts that only experts have a chance of figuring out and the less experienced participants become mere cannon fodder.

This, despite the fact that countless studies have shown that in the long run computer-generated deals more closely approximate statistical probability than those produced by humans.

As a case in point, the illustrated deal was played by the team of Elsie Johnson, John Fraser, herself and myself in the Swiss Teams on the last day of the tournament and these hands were people dealt! In this event one partnership of a team sits East-West

El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

at one table, while their teammates sit North-South at the other. A given number of hands are played at each table and afterwards a comparison is made to see which team has the best result.

At our table, herself was sitting West and opened the bidding 1 diamond. North bid 2 diamonds, the Michaels Convention, showing both major suits (there is no denying that is what she held, even if a little thin in high card points!). I couldn’t be sure which side owned the contract but I thought I would mix things up a bit by raising partner to 5 diamonds.

This did not slow down South who chimed in with 5 hearts only to see herself bid 6 diamonds and North raise her partner to 6 hearts! At this point I felt proceedings were getting out of control so I decided to end the madness by doubling the contract.

Herself duly led the diamond ace and North, to our consternation, placed all her cards on the table in two neat columns instead of the normal four.

Declarer wasted no time in trumping the opening lead in dummy and playing a spade towards her hand. I won the spade king and with a sinking feeling played another diamond, ruffed again in the dummy.

In quick order, declarer proceeded to ruff two spades in her hand setting up winners in the dummy, draw

trumps and claim her contract – 6 hearts doubled made for a score of 1210! Herself and I desperately tried to think of some way of explaining this debacle to our team mates when they returned to our table to compare scores but lo and behold when they did come back it was with the news that they had duplicated the result at their table!

Unfortunately, we lost that match but at least it wasn’t due to this aberration of a hand that couldn’t even be blamed on a computer!

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

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

Chia —Revival of an Ancient Aztec food

By Roxanne Sumners Utzman roxanneutzman@hotmail.com

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ould you like to stabiseeds are superior to black ones, but lize your blood sugar, Dr. Wayne Coates, foremost researchdecrease your choleser on chia, says that there is virtually terol levels, lose weight and inno difference between the two. In his crease the nutrient content of your book, Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten foods? Try chia seeds!

Crop of the Aztec, he writes that the The chia plant (Salvia hispania) nutrient content in chia seeds relates belongs to the mint family and grows to where and how they are grown. naturally from Mexico to South Coates also says they can be stored America. The tiny seed was so valufor long periods of time without able that it was used as currency unbecoming rancid and can easily be til the conquering Spaniards prohibgrown organically because insects ited its cultivation. Chia was known and other pests are not attracted to as “Indian Running Food” because a chia. small handful of seeds and plenty of The Magic of Chia, by Jim Scheer, water was known to sustain a man contains nearly 100 recipes creattraveling for an entire day. ed by a group working to upgrade Indeed, chia seeds have valuable meals served in school cafeterias. nutritional properties. They contain They cite the Journal of the American no gluten, have the highest fiber Dietetic Association, which recomcontent of any food in the world, and mends using chia gel to replace 25% are a complete pro- Studies in the US and of oil and/or eggs in tein with all 9 amicakes, muffins, and no-acids in the ap- Canada indicate that other baked goods. propriate balance. daily ingestion of chia Chia is known to They contain more thin the blood and seeds can lower blood bring down diastolic antioxidants than blueberries, more pressure and choles- blood pressure, so calcium than milk terol levels. people who take and more Omega-3 blood thinners or fatty acids than flax seed. have low blood pressure should use Richard Lucas, in Common and chia with caution, as should people Uncommon Uses of Herbs for Healthy who are allergic to mustard seeds.

Living, recommends chia be preTo prepare chia seed gel, use 9 pared as a gel and then used with parts water to 1 part chia seeds: other foods or liquids. The flavorless In a sealable glass container, gel can be mixed into juice, yogurt, fill 3/4 with pure water. Mix in chia oatmeal or just about any other food, seeds using a whisk or fork. Wait ten thus displacing calories and fat while minutes and mix again. If the mixincreasing the food’s nutritional valture resembles pond scum, it is ready ue. to use or it can be stored in the refrigStudies in the US and Canada erator for up to two weeks. indicate that daily ingestion of chia Start with about 1/3 cup of gel seeds can lower blood pressure and twice a day. But don’t take it too late cholesterol levels. Chia gel holds in the day, as it increases energy and moisture, helps retain the body’s may keep you awake! electrolyte balance, absorbs toxins We have found that the easiand creates a physical barrier beest way to use the gel is to mix it tween carbohydrate foods and diwith equal parts of fruit juice before gestive enzymes, thus slowing the breakfast and mid-day. You can also release of carbohydrates and pretoast seeds and use them on cereals, venting an insulin surge – especially potatoes, or as a coating on meatloaf, helpful in people with diabetes. burgers, etc. They add a nutty taste Some merchants claim white and nice crunch (like poppy seeds).

Chia seeds can be found online and locally in many natural food stores.

ROXANNE SUMNERS Utzman has worked in community health and hospice since 1985 and is the author of The Wave of Light, 1994, Agadir Press.

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HAROLD RUSSELL –The Best Years of His Life

By Roderick MacDonald

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n late 1944, as the Second World War was struggling to a close, the legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn was inspired to make a movie that would tragic story of a young man from tell the story of returning service North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and how veterans trying to adjust to civilhe became part of film industry lore. ian life. Goldwyn hired former war Harold John Russell was born in correspondent MacKinlay Kantor to North Sydney on January 14, 1914. write a screenplay, but with unpreWhen he was 19, he moved with his dictable results. Kantor’s work was family to Massachusetts. In 1941, the published as a novella named Glory Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Rusfor Me, which he wrote in blank verse. sell, now 27, was profoundly affected Goldwyn then turned to screenwriter by the attack on his adopted homeRobert Sherwood to land and enlisted adapt Kantor’s work The evident on- screen in the U.S. Army the into a screenplay chemistry between next day. and hired veteran In 1944 Sercombat photogra- the main characters geant Russell was pher William Wyler deeply moved theatre stationed as an to direct the film. instructor audiences everywhere army Filming on the with the U.S. 13th movie began in April and does to this day Airborne Division 1946 and was re- still. at Fort Bragg, North leased later that year Carolina. On June as The Best Years of Our Lives. Kantor 6th, 1944 (D-Day), while training othwas reportedly incensed over the er soldiers in the use of explosive derenaming of the script, however the vices, a defective fuse detonated an film went on to earn seven Academy explosive in his hands. He lost both Awards, including Best Picture, Best hands and was given two hooks as Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor crude prosthetics. and in a stunning upset, the Oscar for After the war and his subsequent Best Supporting Actor was awarded recovery, Russell attended Boston to a disabled Army veteran with no University on the GI Bill. While a stuprevious acting experience. dent there, he participated in the This is the remarkable and often making of a documentary film called

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Diary of a Sergeant about rehabilitating war veterans. As fate would have it, Wyler happened to see the film and immediately cast Russell as one of the three main characters in his new movie, alongside Frederic March and Dana Andrews. In fact, Wyler had Sherwood rewrite the script to adopt Russell’s character of Homer Parrish, a Navy seaman who had lost both hands in the war and was fearful that his childhood sweetheart would reject him.

During the making of the movie, Russell was extremely nervous about his demanding role, which required him at one point to perform a piano duet. However, the other cast members were touched by his quiet and self- effacing manner and they went out of their way to provide support.

The evident on- screen chemistry between the main characters deeply moved theatre audiences everywhere and does to this day still.

As a result, the film swept the Academy Award presentations in 1947, winning every major award.

Although Russell was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, few members of the Academy’s Board of Governors gave him much hope of winning.

They created a special award that was given out early in the ceremony to Russell for “bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans.” When the winner of the Best Supporting Actor award was announced, the audience erupted in applause, many in tears. To this day, Russell holds the distinction of being the only actor to win two awards for the same role, and one of only two non-professional actors to win. (The other was Haing S. Ngor for his role as Dith Pran in The Killing Fields.)

After the awards ceremony, Wyler advised Russell to go back to school “since there were not many roles for an actor without hands.” Russell returned to Boston University, where he graduated with a business degree in 1949. That same year the first of his two autobiographies, “Victory in My Hands,” was published. Russell went on to become a driving force for veteran’s rights. He served three terms as National Commander of AMVETS, and in 1964 was appointed

by President Johnson as Chairman of the President’s Commission on Employment for the Handicapped, a position he held until the late 80s. He was often asked about his dexterity with the prosthetic hooks and would quip, “I can pick up anything but the dinner check!”

However tragedy and controver-

sy dogged his later life.

In 1978, Russell’s first wife Rita died suddenly at the young age of 34. In 1982 his son Gerald, an Eastern Airlines pilot was convicted of murder in the Florida shooting death of another Eastern pilot over a reported love triangle involving the other pilot’s wife. In September 2007, his application for parole was denied and he remains incarcerated.

In 1992, Russell ignited a storm of controversy over his decision to put his Best Supporting Actor award up for auction. Remarried at the time to, Russell stated that he needed the money to pay his wife’s medical bills. He defended his action, saying: “I don’t know why anybody would be critical. My wife’s health is much more important than sentimental reasons.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has required all Oscar recipients since 1950 to sign an agreement forbidding them from selling their award. As a pre-1950 winner, Russell was exempt from this provision. Despite the efforts of the Academy, the statuette sold for approximately $60,000 and reportedly sold to the late Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman, who returned it to the Academy. While the relatives and friends of other recipients have successfully sold their awards posthumously, Russell holds the dubious distinction of being the only living recipient to sell his academy award.

Russell died of a heart attack on January 29, 2002 and is buried in Wayland, Massachusetts.

RODERICK MACDONALD worked for over 20 years in radio, television, print media and corporate communications. A former native of Montreal, he has also been active as a business entrepreneur in Canada. Mr. MacDonald now makes his home in Mexico where he is working on his first historical novel

GREAT G REAT W WRITES RITES A AND ND W WRONGS RONGS

By Tommy Clarkson

L

ast month, I wrote of James Thurber whose birthday, December 8th, was one day before mine. Well, F.T. Eyre has – once again – reminded me of yet another humorist writer whose works, as well as his last name, are singularly “Brilliant” – Ashleigh Ellwood generally precedes his unique family name. Lo and behold, he and I share the same day of birth – the 9th – with his birth preceding mine by eleven years, being in 1933.

He was described in The Wall Street Journal as “history’s only full time, professional published epigrammatist.” Unique to his work, he employs a self-imposed limit of 17 words per epigram. (For those who may have forgotten, an epigram is “a concise, witty, and often paradoxical remark or saying.”)

That well describes his works. Two excellent examples: “What good is it if I talk in flowers while you’re thinking in pastry? And “Strangely enough, this is the past that somebody in the future is longing to go back to!” Thought provoking, those.

There is simple brilliance in the counsel that, “If you don’t do it, you’ll never know what would have happened if you had done it.” And is there not poignant truth in this: “Why does life keep teaching me lessons I have no desire to learn?”

Those who know me are well acquainted with my general rejoinder to their greeting queries of my health – “Parts of me are perfect, my hair follicles and toe cuticles. Everything in between, however, seems to have gone to hell!”

Now you know I’ve but “lifted” from Mr. Brilliant’s, “I may not be totally perfect, but parts of me are excellent.”

Who among us, that has observed our politicians in action, cannot but agree that this seems to well apply to the preponderance of them and their conduct, “The time for action is past! Now is the time for senseless bickering!”

• You can’t just suddenly be my friend.

You have to go through a training period.

• Keep some souvenirs of your past, or how will you ever prove it wasn’t all a dream?

• The best reason for having dreams is

that in dreams no reasons are necessary.

• My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I’m right.

• Strange as it may seem, my life is based on a true story.

• I want either less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.

• It’s not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.

• Please don’t lie to me, unless you’re absolutely sure I’ll never find out the truth.

• Sometimes I need what only you can provide—your absence.

• By doing just a little every day, I can gradually let the task completely overwhelm me • Maybe I’m lucky to be going so slowly, because I may be going in the wrong direction.

• A good friend is worth pursuing... but why would a good friend be running away?

• I don’t understand you. You don’t understand me. What else do we have in common?

• My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.

• Try to be the best of what you are, even if what you are is no good.

• All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power.

• I waited and waited, and when no message came, I knew it must be from you.

• To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, and whatever you hit call it the target.

• Inform all the troops that communications have completely broken down.

• You can’t just suddenly be my friend. You have to go through a training period.

TOM CLARKSON and his wife have lived on board a boat, on a remote 1.2 square mile island in the Pacific, in the bowels of wartorn Iraq and are now reasonably settled in Santiago, Manzanillo.

Saw you in the Ojo

13

CUTTER ANT APOCALYPSE!

By Ed Tasca

O

ur garden, a lovely wearing plumed medieval helmets. house-front apron of And for some reason unbeknown flowering plants, shrubs to God or man, they will not touch and fruit trees, has been under my weeds. “I hear the queen loves a siege by cutter ants, good weed snack with no hope of a It was the last straw as on occasion,” I think diplomatic settleyelled out one I watched the daunt- Ievening. ment. They’ve been troopers carry Someone once turning new and less old-growth vegeta- portions of my mango told me their trail tion into confetti for of troops can exweeks and carrying tree over my shoetips tend miles. I did it through endless whistling, It’s a Long some extrapolatparades over my garing and discovered den day and night. Way to Tipperary! that creatures the What’s worse, they size of splinters couldn’t have been more conspicuorganizing a parade one mile long ous and brazen about it if they were is the equivalent of humans march-

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

ing around the circumference of the earth carrying some ridiculous amount of trail mix over our heads – without ever stopping to eat it. It was the last straw as I watched the dauntless troopers carry portions of my mango tree over my shoetips whistling, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary!

Bring in the gardener. My gardener just shrugged and drizzled a few ounces of gasoline into the entrances to their nests and went home.

Nope!

This just seemed to give them a psychotropic, methanol high and the late night nibbles. I could have been imagining it because it was getting dark, but I think they actually began growing in size.

At that, I even lost the courage to stomp on them for fear of being legswept into the air and dumped on my head.

Bring in second garderner. Patrone.

(Poison.)

“They like the taste of it.

They take it to the nest and the whole pack of them dies,” my second gardener said. And yes, he was right, they liked the taste of it, and they did take it to their nest. But instead of wiping them out, I believe they had a fiesta. “Hey, is there any more of that Patrone left?” I swore I heard them yelling up the line at 3 AM. With all patience gone, I went and found myself a bruja (witch, for those needing subtitles). The invasion happened so paranormally sudden, what else could it be but the evil eye (mal de ojo), a common belief in Mexico. I know who the perpetrator too – that weird guy sitting in his truck trying to sell me manure: “Manure?”, “No, grazias.” “Es bueno!”, Hoy, no.”, half-hour later, Caramba, a plague of insects! That’s how fast it happens.

My bruja, a blessed Huichol woman, claimed to have the power to treat victims of the evil eye and, later in the day, do some laundry - a full return to my tranquil Buena Vibra and a bundle of whites for a tiny fee.

Perfect!

The first thing she did was take a camote (sweet potato), and sculpt it into a face, which she said was me something she called a blessed milagro. (Yes, I was now suspended in some paranormal dimension in the

form of Mr. Potato Head.)

My medium sat with my effigy in her lap and chanted incantations over it while she breast-fed her baby.

I was okay with that, until the bruja’s cat began gnawing off the top of my right effigy temple. I became concerned, because, frankly, I was getting a weird headache right around my right eye. I still had hope that the ants were getting a good scolding from the gods and packing up to leave.

Finally, my enchanted medium, baby asleep, asked that I take the camote home and bury it, and the cutter ants would disappear. I agreed to do this, but when I arrived home, I found burying my own Mr. Potato Head likeness, especially a Mr. Potato Head that might have contained a part of my spirit, an affront to the Enlightment. So, unable to bury the tuberous likeness, I cooked it up into a batch of pancakes instead, and washed it all down with a fine Anejo, followed by another and then another.

In the end, I was feeling pretty good, and in no time, believe it or not, I was directing cutter ant traffic. Live and let live, I thought. And, here’s the surprising thing! The ants suddenly disappeared on their own.

Obviously, the bruja knew her stuff.

Of course, there is nothing left of my garden and several neighbors have been dropping off their basura into what is now my vacant field. But the ants are gone!

ED TASCA’S novel The Fishing Trip That Got Away was recently published by the Roseheart Publishing Company. Ed’s an award-winning humor writer (winner in the prestigious Robert Benchley Society Humor-writing Award three years in a row--judged

by Dave Barry). Also winner of humorpress.com awards and the 2008 winner of M. Culbertson’s Life and Humor Award.

THE CORKSCREW

By Harriet Hart

W

hen I arrived at the Did I mention that I hate speed, front desk of the Fanheights and water? I’m the woman tasy Land Hotel in the who falls down on purpose when West Edmonton Mall, I was handed faced with a slight slope cross counmy room key and two complimentry skiing, the driver who never extary passes to the water park. This ceeds the posted speed limit, the was my first attendance at the Canaswimmer who sticks to the shallow dian Paraplegic Association’s nationend of the pool. al meetings since my recent promoThere I stood wearing nothing tion. but my old two piece strapless black “First impressions are important,” swim suit. I stepped up to the cavernJohn, my uptight boss warned. ous entrance, lowered myself gently “Of course,” I replied. down into the slide, spread my arms, That evening in the hospitality closed my eyes and invited gravity to suite, I asked: “When should we go have its way with me. The corkscrew to the water park?” and was met with lived up to its name, twisting and blank stares. turning all the way to the bottom.

“It’s too expensive,” someone said.

Just when I thought it had to be “I got two free passes when I over, it was. The corkscrew turned checked in ,” I replied. into cannon and shot me through “We didn’t.” the air. I became one of the Flying From the Wolendas until a corner, a deep mas- A cool breeze fanned “splash” signalled culine voice said: “I’ll my breasts…my bare that I was going be your guest.” down, down, down “Who are you?” breasts. Where was into the briny deep.

“I’m Patrick the top to my black My feet touched O’Reilly, a consulbottom. I stood up. tant hired by Na- bathing suit?

There was water up tional Office. “I’ve my nose and down got my swim suit in my suitcase.” my throat, but I was alive. I opened “Tomorrow at 5:30 in the lobby?” my eyes. Pat and a lifeguard stood “It’s a date.” six feet away staring intently at me.

The next day, after eight hours of A cool breeze fanned my breasts… listening to provincial service reports, my bare breasts. Where was the top I was ready for some fun. When Pat to my black bathing suit? Did I leave and I reached the water park, I saw it behind in the corkscrew? No, it was several water slides and a giant wave wound around my waist like the elaspool where a siren warned swimtic on a canning jar. mers when the waves were coming; “Your wife could use a new suit,” everyone splashed each other and the lifeguard said. acted like kids. All this was visible “That’s not my wife,” replied Pat. through tall banks of windows sepaI pulled my top up, donned what rating the water park from the mall. remained of my pride, and held out a Once inside, Pat suggested we try a hand so Sir Galahad could assist me water slide. out of the tub.

“They look scary.”

“Don’t you breathe a word of this “Be a sport. You’ll love it.” to a living soul,” I hissed.

“I chose the corkscrew, never Next morning I was greeted with stopping to consider that the name a round of applause. might actually describe the shape of “What’s going on?” asked John. the slide. A sign at the entrance read: “They heard I went down a water “To slow your descent, put your arms slide last night even though I’m terristraight out and touch the sides.” fied of water.”

My secret would probably have stayed one except that night my boss, a quadriplegic, suffered an accident of his own. Wheeling back through the mall after dinner, he toppled head first into one of the fountains. The water had been turned off for the night and he banged himself up badly. I was in my room at the time, nursing my damaged dignity so someone else had to call the medics and mop him up.

A week later, John called me into his office. “Can you explain this email from Alberta?”

“What does it say?”

“You Manitobans sure know how to have a good time – leaping into fountains and losing your bathing suits in the water park.”

I confessed. There must have been a hundred witnesses to my crime. Besides, it was an accident, no worse than falling ass over teakettle into an empty fountain.

John successfully sued the mall so there are now tasteful brass railings protecting shoppers. I bought a new swimsuit with straps and retired to live in sunny Mexico.

At my farewell dinner, John read his David Letterman style top ten list of

reasons to remember me. What was number one?

“Harriet gives new meaning to hanging out at the mall.”

HARRIET HART is a former social worker in Canada who now lives in Mexico. chateaucrow@hotmail.com

Saw you in the Ojo

15

Focus on Art

By Rob Mohr robmohr@gmail.com

What is Great Art? You be the Judge.

H

ave you ever said, “I nored wrote, “Casablanca is not only don’t know much about a great movie, it is great art,” he unart, but I know what I derstood some of the complexity like.”? If appreciation of great art is and refinement that goes into works an acquired taste (consider public reof Art that change our understandjection of Van Gogh’s paintings) like ing of ourselves and the world we good wine or great music, is this “inilive in. Art at its best pushes us to actial liking” an adequate approach? commodations never explored. ConRecently, critics Hollond Cotter, sider how the prehistoric (ritual) cave (NYTimes) and Philip Hensher, (critic/ paintings at Lascaux unveil ancient novelist) have played a major role in rituals, or how paintings by Robert naming future greats. In December, Rauschenberg combined found ob2010, Hensher shocked the art world jects with symbolic images to release by selecting Susan deep-seated human Philipsz winner of Paintings, like poetry, memories. Or how the prestigious Turn- express deep feelings Paul Gauguin, in his er Prize ($50,000) for painting “The Spirit her “Sound Sculp- and reveal psychologi- of the Dead,” where tures,” speakers cal truths hidden un- his love Vahiné, lays placed under bridgnaked and frightes in London con- der the surface of our ened on her bed tinuously played a lives. while the ghosts of haunting Scot’s Balthe dead stand by, lad she had sung and recorded. Runused surreal colors and simplified ner up Dexter Dalwood’s contemplaform in an archetypal way to convey tive painting “Burroughs in Tangiers,” profound psychological impact. incorporated elements from works (Check out these links and judge.)

by Matisse, Hans Hoffman, Robert http://www.centrepompidou.fr/ Rauschenberg, and Tom Wesselmann, education/ressources/ENS-rauschento create a powerful sense of déjà vu. berg-EN/ENS-rauschenberg-EN.htm Take a look at the finalist and pick http://www.janeresture.com/tawho you think has created great art. hiti_gauguin/ www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/ Paintings, like poetry, express www.pulitzer.org/citation/2009-Critdeep feelings and reveal psychoicism logical truths hidden under the surWhen Lucius Furius in Genius Igface of our lives. Like great fiction,

which combines enduring stories with refined writing full of nuance and metaphor, paintings assemble visual components to create new realities. Great art expresses the innermost soul of a people, and pushes us to reflect on who we are. One of the great painters of the 20th century, Henri Matisse (1869–1954), shared, “I desire … to express what cannot be expressed…the emotion that objects produce upon me.”

19th-century novelist and art critic Stendhal (1783 -1842) believed when confronted with great art, many are affected psychologically and experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, confusion and hallucinations.

Great art transforms - hits you in the gut, in ways that expand human imagination. Astute collectors have learned to test the emotional power of a work of art, by whether it demands that you experience it over and over. Weaker works hang on our walls as unseen decorations.

Philip Pearlstein (1924) saw the subdivision of the “square” as the essential work of the visual artist. He insisted that how the viewer is pulled into or pushed out of the painting, line quality, interest at the edges, forms, colors, and “analogous components,” must all work together to form a single harmonious reality.

Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947), in contrast, offered less analytical advice, “What I wanted, at all cost, was to escape the monotony of life.” Defining great art is elusive – Pearlstein and Bonnard were both right.

Great art promises excitement while pulling the viewer into a wonder-filled ritual of discovery. New heavens and new earths are unveiled: new worlds are created where no one has walked before, and where one encounters ways of being alive that never age. Through great art we enter where only the awake are admitted.

MR. MOHR has exhibited his works in many One Man Shows in New York, Atlanta, and throughout the Southeast, and has won awards for his paintings and drawings in many national art exhibitions. His book on The Arts at Black Mountain College was published by East Tennessee University Press. Rob has had stories and poems published in national and international journals.

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

Hearts at Work A Column by James Tipton

“You’re still carrying yours.”

T

wo monks, one mature and the other still a student, were walking down a gentle path that ran beside a river. As they were walking, they saw two bullies walking toward them. The older monk smiled at the bullies and wished them a good afternoon. The younger monk, although worried, attempted a smile and wished them a good afternoon as well.

One of the bullies pointed to the other side of the river and said, “We need to cross that river, but we do not want to get our feet wet.” The older monk continued to smile. The younger monk stared at his feet.

“You will carry us across,” said the other bully. The two monks then bent over, allowing the bullies to jump on their backs, and then set out to wade across the river. Once on the other side, the bullies jumped off and walked away.

The monks recrossed the river and resumed their morning walk. Hours later, the younger monk spoke.

“Those two bullies have made me so angry. What right did they have to do that to us? The younger monk said, “Aren’t you angry that we had to carry them across the river?”

The older man rested his hand on the shoulder of the younger monk and said, “The difference between me and you is that you’re still carrying yours.”

I have told this charming story many times, partly to continue to remind myself about the importance of being detached from anger, or if angry, of simply witnessing it in myself rather than being driven by it.

That young monk was angry, but the older monk taught him how to respond. Likewise, we ourselves become angry, when people cast, like a net, their anger over us.

I was involved romantically for too many years with a woman who was proud of “being in touch” with her anger, no matter how inappropriate or irrational her anger was in terms of the

situation or the person she chose to attack. She would, for example, regularly return home from her group therapy sessions to release still more anger on to me, even as I was preparing dinner for her, even though hours later she would sometimes acknowledge I was not connected with her anger of that moment. I asked her one time, “If I was on my deathbed, and you came home so angry from your group therapy sessions, and you knew for certain that anger was not about me, would you still feel the need to take it out on me?”

Without hesitation, she answered, “Yes, of course. I don’t want to get cancer!”

Well, some situations are so preposterous that you simply need to turn and walk away. Best to let every bully like that slip off your back and head down their own dark road alone while you return to the path that is truly your own.

Some of us remember the Chicago Journalist, Sidney J. Harris. Harris wrote memorable lines like, “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers” and “The good person loves people and uses things, while the bad person loves things and uses people.”

“The good person loves people and uses things, while the bad person loves things and uses people.”

JIM TIPTON has published several books of poetry and has sold dozens of articles to magazines in the US. His collections of poetry include Letters from a Stranger (1998)— winner of the Colorado Book Award in Poetry. Jim lived in Puerto Vallarta for several years. spiritofmexico@yahoo.com

Saw you in the Ojo

17

AN OLDER WOMAN

By Patricia Hemingway

J

It’s my face that is betrayenny Joseph proclaimed, ing me: I’m up to SPF #85 to “When I am an old woman protect my fragile skin, and I I shall wear purple, and a am pale as a spirit. Around red hat” and she spawned a cadre my face, of copycats who hair took her words I am thinking of my my snowliterally. I believe mother: she wore tur- is white (well, she was saying, ”be yourself, dear.” Wear tlenecks in mid-sum- at least not any damn color you mer to hide her wrin- blue, you say). please.

She said may I’m not I dress the way kled neck.

I want to and en- she wanted to come pretty anymore.

This makes a joy my own flair for back as a giraffe. huge difference in style and fashion. who is kind to me, who speaks to me, But… I look at myself in the mirror, how invisible I am, and whether or in the spotless baño, and admit that not I feel safe on the streets. To reI look old.

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

spond in order: Other women are kind to me. Both men and women I pass dog-walking speak to me. It is the aged, local women who are least visible, for being poor and not beautiful is one of the most severe states of non-being.

Safety is a positive side-effect. I am an older woman out walking her dog within a few blocks of her apartment, not even carrying a purse: yes, I am safe. I do make a point of not smiling at Mexican men in the evening, and though this may cause some hurt feelings, it is the self-preservation of the female.

A recent story told of a 65-yearold woman who imagined herself a mysterious Latina of indeterminate age, and lived out this persona. One evening among gringos shattered her illusions: she was horrified to overhear the men say, “She may be an old bag, but her body looks like it could still hold up under two tough old buckin’ Texas boys don’t it?”

The writer, who is a male, sure got the danger right.

I am hovering at that point of acceptance which requires I step across a cavernous divide and become an older woman. I am thinking of my mother: she wore turtlenecks in midsummer to hide her wrinkled neck.

She said she wanted to come back as a giraffe. I am not my mother, and not an old lady – but I am not quite on the other side of the divide either.

In my own mind, an older woman is a positive and realistic self-image that implies a number of traits: • Preferring the company of wom-

en to men at practically every decision point.

• A deep satisfaction in productive time spent alone.

• Happily throwing out all shorts and short skirts (I’ve already done this one) with a sigh of relief.

• Knowing perfectly well that the surest route to joy is love for others.

• Realizing that all future sexual activity may be solitary.

• Being okay with the probability of never being in love again. Not in waking reality. Not this time around.

As I write this last point I realize I have gotten to the edge of the divide.

In my list of traits, the healthy older woman has learned to value passion in all its forms, and to embrace love as it finds its way into her life.

Passion exists for me, and it will continue to: it blazes in my work, in color and texture, in fragrance, and as it enters my ear from my MP3 player.

It is skin on skin caresses that I cannot let go of. The mystery of orgasms shared with another, no matter whether they are simultaneous.

The deep satisfaction of cradling my partner’s bottom between my knees and belly, my cheek pressed against his back, just before falling into the abandonment of sleep. I miss this terribly.

I do not believe that this is desire for sex itself; the ache for pleasure.

It is a longing for certainty. The exquisite certainty one feels at such a moment.

And what is all this to do with the steady approach toward death?

“It is a journey/to a world unknown.

Who will I be/ when I am at its door?”

In imagining the cavernous divide, I implied a leap across it. This will not happen. There will instead be incremental steps in the thin air of reality: I will proceed, one trait at a time under my belt, until one day I will find that I have forgotten my list entirely.

PATRICIA HEMINGWAY lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 35 years before relocating to Mexico in January 2011. She has been writing since the 1980’s, and is also a quilter and fiber artist.

THE HUMBLE TORTILLA

By Bill Frayer

Every day I visit the small market.

Every day I see the battered cooler.

Get there early, or they’re gone.

I open the lid, the sweet smell.

The humble tortilla. Corn masa Mixed with water, flat and round.

They cook ‘em on a griddle Flipping with fast fingers.

Filled all day, every day, thousands, Meat with red chiles, Beans with fresh cheese.

Push around the food Stuff the mouth, drip down the chin, With the sweet taste of Mexico.

Fragrant whole grain corn Ground from stone, the perfect food, Connecting us now Scooping comfort and succulent sauce, Tasting the spirit Of the ancient people, Nourishing those who worked In the soil in the sun, Chewing the abundance of this land.

This is a profound connection To the Mexican soul.

I can feel the warm weight Of the damp paper-wrapped bundle From the old cooler, and—for me— Walking home, I too am Mexican, If just for a moment With this humble tortilla.

Saw you in the Ojo

19

The General and the Jaguar

By Eileen Welsome Reviewed by Jay Raymond White Copyright by Little, Brown publishers, New York, 2006. $19.95 in hardback. Available on Amazon (new and used) and on Kindel

G

eneral John “Blackjack” Pershing is The General and Francisco “Pancho” Villa is the Jaguar in Eileen Welsome’s look at the raid that reduced the border town of Columbus, New Mexico, to smoking rubble on the morning of March 9, 1916, and explains the social, military and political hullabaloo it spawned between two nations.

The General and The Jaguar is an account of that raid and what happened in both Mexico and the United States after it was over; but more than an account of the action as it occurred, it contains finely drawn character sketches of the Mexican revolutionaries who conducted it

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and of the Americans—civilians and

El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

soldiers—who endured it, and who distinguish his personal arms on avenged it with blood and hatred. the Expedition itself, Slocum was They’re all here: Maude Wright thought among some soldiers of the (overlooked by most historians), kidThirteenth to be a coward. His repunapped by Villa from her farm near tation as a man and an American Casas Grandes and taken away to soldier was ruined—here Welsome Columbus to witness the raid, not leaves her reader to sift the evidence knowing if she would ever see her and judge for himself as to Slocum’s infant son again, thinking at any mocharacter—and there are the civilment to have her throat slit by the ians who survived the gunfire and filthy, starving, desperate Mexican arson and mayhem brought down peons who guarded her. upon them that early morning in Along the trail, Maude’s husband March, 1916; and they, too, are here Ed and his hired man, Frank Hayden, permitted to tell their stories of that also taken at the farm, were indeed day. And there is Francisco Villa himmurdered by Villista soldiers—Doraself, “the microbe that managed to dos: Golden Ones. Several of these infuriate an elephant,” and what he, types would sur- And there is Francisco exhausted, sorely vive wounds to be wounded and on hanged for their Villa himself, “the mi- the run from both “crimes” by New crobe that managed to the Americans and Mexicans who dethe Carrancistas, felt cided they were infuriate an elephant,” in his exaggerated dastardly bandits being about the and terrorists and not at all honorwhole sorry mess. able soldiers and prisoners of war.

The historical personalities menGeneral (then lieutenant) George tioned and many others of equal or S. Patton who served Blackjack as lesser light are depicted in language aide in the “punitive expedition” drawn from the author’s keen eye for was ordered to cross the border by detail and her obviously extensive Woodrow Wilson and distinguished and impeccable research into the himself in action against the Carranevents that unfolded at Columbus, cistas; Venustiano Carranza himself, New Mexico, and in northern Mexico who, as President of Mexico, feared just short of a century ago. invasion from the north more than any other foreign military possibility, considered gringo aggression a propensity rather than a mere possibility–it had happened before; Colonel Herbert J. Slocum, a West Point graduate, in charge of the Thirteenth JAY WHITE grew up in Cavalry based at Columbus, whose Texas. With a BA in Engreputation was greatly damaged by lish Lit. and an MA in Crehis response to Pancho Villa’s surative Writing. He spent prise raid on the military camp and thirty years as a univertown, even though his “response” sity teacher in the United States and accounted for some three hundred Mexico. He has published poetry and dead or captured Mexican raiders. fiction plus a novel, The Rattler of Subsequently though, as, beZacatecas. ing ill and uncertain and unable to

UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE

By Bill Frayer billfrayer@gmail.com

Is More Openness Always Better?

democracy is better, it’s simply not always true. Sometimes, secret deals do work well.

BILL FRAYER taught writing/ critical thinking.

He has written a book, Figuring Things Out, and a volume of poetry, Sacred Lake.

He and his wife Pixie have lived in Mexico for the past five years.

I

n a recent column, I referred to Václav Havel’s assertion Fareed Zakaria that we should never consider any conclusions to be “selftle privacy, and politicians are under evident.” I was thinking about this immense pressure, from the public recently as I read Fareed Zakaria’s and from their leaders, to conform to 2003 book, Beyond Freedom. their party’s pre-determined talking In this book, Zakaria makes a points. case that, although it seems self I remember in the 1970s when evident that more openness and some of these changes were occurmore transparency would be a good ring. It seemed to me, and many oththing, it is not always so. He draws ers, that the secret deals which had an interesting distinction between been conducted in the past were effective government and demoboth immoral and undemocratic. In cratic government. What makes a other words, it seemed self evident government effective is its ability to that we would be better served if evidentify and solve problems, provide erything was conducted in a demonecessary services to its citizens, and cratic fashion, out in the open. There plan effectively for future growth. would be no more secret deals ala And there are many examples of Lyndon Johnson or Richard Nixon. A less-than-democratic governments new era was upon us. which, nonetheless, Lobbyists would have Now, 35 years do a rather good later, how well have job of meeting the to wait, like everyone we been served? Is needs of its citizens. else, for the outcome there such a thing as He cites Singapore too much openness and South Korea as of the negotiations. or too much democexamples. racy? Zakaria argues that there is, and Although a democracy now, for I think he may be right. Imagine, for many years South Korea had a wella moment, that political opponents functioning economy under an auare trying to work out agreement on tocratic regime. The most glaring a contentions tax or health care isexample today is China. It is unclear sue. In the past, they could go into a whether, in the long run, their econprivate meeting and do some serious omy can be productive without freehorse-trading to get something done dom and openness, but so far they for the good of the public. Lobbyists seem to be doing rather well. would have to wait, like everyone In the United States, until the else, for the outcome of the nego1970’s, many decisions were made in tiations. The politicians could come back rooms, in secret. Candidates for out, announce the deal, and tell the public office were often selected in lobbyists, “Hey, I did my best. This is “smoke-filled rooms.” The party leadthe best deal we could get.” Today, ers chose to select the candidates all subcommittee hearings are open which they thought would have the to the public and to the lobbyists; best chance of winning. In Congress, all deals must be made in the open. many bi-partisan deals were made The result is polarization and often in private, over dinner, and no one complete impasse. Media cater to knew the details. Few people knew specific ideological positions, and FDR was confined to a wheelchair or the politicians pander to their base. that JFK was a philanderer.

Nothing gets done.

Today such secrecy is unimagi To be fair, Zakaria does not argue nable. The public and lobbyists alike for a return to complete secrecy, but are privy to every political deal and he does make the case that although lurid accusation. Candidates have litit may seem self-evident that more

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21

“You have just entered the Twilight Zone.”

By Peter L. Rosenberg CARS

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

FOR SALE: 2002 Ford Mustang, 6cyl/3.8 engine, excellent condition, recent mileage tune up, new shocks, rebuilt AC, new battery, belts & hoses, 120,000 hwy miles, S.D. plates. $4,900 USD. Cell (045)331-194-4783 FOR SALE: 1993 Mercury Villager, 7 passenger van, automatic, A/C blows cold, 154,000 miles, cloth interior, clean, one owner, U.S. plated $3,995U.S. Call: (376) 763-5367 FOR SALE: Town and Country Mini Van like new, excellent condition 2007 Town and County MiniVan loaded with DVD player.

Only 60 000km, Jalisco plates. $15000usd email: mgc007@yahoo.ca FOR SALE: 1992 Isuzu Rodeo US plated, v/6, 5 speed. $1,200 USD or OBO. Please Call: 331218-9649 FOR SALE: Mercedes Roadster Convertible 1988. New leather upholstery and soft top. Has 2 tops, hard and soft. Euro cover. Manuals. This is a classic automobile! $5,500 USD, call: (376) 765-2598 FOR SALE: 2005 Ford Taurus, runs good, needs somebody work, $67,000 pesos or USD Call John (376)765-6613 FOR SALE: 1991, 4 Cyl, Ford Escord Hatchback. Mexico Plated and runs great, no rust, body needs repair of dents, 14,000pesos. Call 331-218-9649 FOR SALE: 3 pulmonias like the famous ones found in Mazatlan Mexico, they are in perfect conditions and are ready to enjoy or ready to work whatever you desire.

If you are interested in viewing the vehicles please contact Oscar at 669-116-0572 or e-mail at oscar. cisneros@gmail.com

FOR SALE: Golf Clubs a complete set of left handed golf clubs 2000 pesos call 7663537 FOR SALE: Harley Davidson touch lamp, new in box $400. No email, Please Call Lee Borden at 333-496-5883 FOR SALE: Bar Style Table.

Round 30” diameter laminated top on 42” high metal pedestal base.

Includes 3 tall, wooden, swivels stools w/back rests and brass foot rails. Excellent conditions $4000.

No email, Please Call Lee Borden at 333-496-5883 FOR SALE: Mass AquaPlus Water Softener, Model SF28 the household water softener integrates controls with almost zero maintenance and easy operation used 1 month. Original cost $8,400 pesos, asking $7,000 pesos. Call: (376) 766-2513 FOR SALE: Guitar, Washburn acoustic/electric, Model D46SCE with hard case. Simply beautiful brand new, never played. $6,000 pesos (376) 766-4365 FOR SALE: Nikon 35mm professional auto wind camera excellent condition with carry case. $2,900 pesos OBO. Cell (045) 331194-4783 FOR SALE: Oxygen Equipment, in great condition: Respironics Millenium 5L Oxygen Concentrator, Oxymatic Conserver OM 400 Series, Continuous Flow Regulator, The Vest & 8 M6 tanks, 5 full. Carrying case for the tanks, lots of canulas & other extras, email: beachteachmx@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Tracker Tundra 20 Boat, 280,000.00 or 25,000.00 USD. Really nice boat, 20ft long, capacity up to 9 people, GPS fishfinder e-mail with any questions! juliana109@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Boat inflatable, good cond, 2 oars, 2 stor. bags, floor boards, hard transom for small motor. $1,000 mxp, Call 322160- 6983 or e-mail at: ge1612@ yahoo.ca

PETS & SUPPLIES FOR SALE: Black rubber pond or pool liner is 13 by 20 feet. Never used - still in box. The strongest grade. $1,700 pesos. Call Peter at 766-5577

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

W

e could hear those but always in two degree intervals. It words being said by was now 71 according to the gauge Rod Serling as we and about every eighth of a mile it drove up the highway from Barra fell another two degrees. In only moDe Navidad to Puerto Vallarta. ments, we had gone from riding two The top was down on the conhours in the sun and heat to pulling vertible as the weather was sunny over, putting the top up, and turning and about 73 degrees. Then, roundon the car’s heater. The outside teming a curve, about 20 miles south perature had fallen to 57. of Puerto Vallarta, we suddenly saw I have lived from northern Canada this mass of gray up to Florida and many ahead. Sally figured The front of the car places in between it was a low cloud as nearly disappeared and am certainly the mountain tops to experiencwhile we were still used were still in the sun. ing cold fronts. But, I thought that it was enjoying the idyllic never in my life had fog that just had not weather.

I actually seen the dissipated yet. Neiedge of one before. ther explanation made real sense as It was spooky and we imagined comwe were at sea level so a cloud would ing out of it and finding ourselves not be that low and, since it was amid conquistadors with a Spanish 11 am, any fog should have disapGalleon anchored in the Bay of Banpeared earlier. deras.

Approaching this gray material, it was like a solid wall with a distinct line where the sun came to an immePETER L. ROSENBERG diate end. The front of the car nearly was a contractor and disappeared while we were still enrealtor in Florida for 30 joying the idyllic weather. Then, we years and retired to Mexwere inside and felt as it someone ico in 2004. He has been had opened a freezer door and put published by newspapers, interus into it. national magazines, and several The temperature gauge on the times in El Ojo Del Lago. His curcar fell the second we entered. But, rent projects are a book on Mexico it was an unusual drop because it and a first attempt at a novel. never went down a degree at a time Mexicanseahorse1948@yahoo.com

Friends of México A.C. (FOM) MAZATLAN Friends of México A.C. (FOM), is a Mexican non-profit Civil Association formed in 1999. We now have nearly 900 members comprised primarily of foreign nationals from the United States and Canada. Many members live in and around Mazatlán from four to six months out of the year, while others are year-round residents.

We also have members from México and other countries throughout the world.

PURPOSE As stated in FOM’s bylaws: the purpose of the Association is to be a community minded organization that supports the education of students in impoverished schools in Mazatlán and seeks to enhance the experience of its members living in Mazatlán.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM This program is multi-faceted and has expanded greatly over the years. At inception, in 1999, we provided 20 elementary students in different schools with school supplies, shoes, uniforms and backpacks.

We also purchased all school supplies for their teachers. Ten years later we are supporting more than 1400 students in six Primaria (grades 1-6) schools located in Mazatlán’s poorest neighborhoods. In each school, we assist all students in all grades. Our support ranges from providing basic needs such as pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. to assistance with urgent infrastructure needs such as emergency repairs to bathrooms, classrooms and drinking facilities.

In 2004 we initiated a scholarship program to assist top performing students going on to Secundaria (grades 7 to 9). By 2010, this program had grown to 115 students. It is funded directly by sponsors who select a child they wish to support. To stay in the program, a student must maintain a specified grade average, which is monitored by FOM. Public Education is free in México through the 6th grade, but students must pay for transportation, school supplies, uniforms and lunches plus an inscription fee at Secundaria and beyond. This can be an impossible burden for many of our students causing them to drop out after Primaria to enter the workforce or hang out on the streets. An FOM scholarship is sometimes the key to staying in school. For more than seven years, FOM volunteers have taught conversational English as a second language at each of our supported schools.

MEMBER BENEFITS Becoming a member of FOM can be rewarding in many ways. Each month we hold a business/social meeting that provides an opportunity for members to meet over breakfast, make new friends, keep up to date on happenings around town and hear speakers on a variety of topics relevant to foreign nationals living in México. Members are also updated on FOM’s activities.

Members enjoy significant discounts negotiated by FOM at over 275 businesses such as restaurants, medi-

cal and dental services, car repairs and other day to day needs. FOM organizes, at volume discount prices, trips such as shopping in Tonalá or sightseeing in the Copper Canyon and other exciting locations around our adopted country of México. Our members also enjoy the opportunity for continuing Education with Classes in Spanish, Mexican Cooking, and other areas of interest to members as requested at reduced cost with qualified instructors. In the absence of a blood bank in Mazatlán, FOM maintains a blood donor program which has been a lifesaver for a few members and non-members alike. Our monthly newsletter and web site keep our membership up to date, whether a member is in Mazatlán or outside the country.

During the year we hold a variety of fun social events including our ever popular Christmas party, wine and cheese party, welcome back social in the fall and farewell social in the spring. And for many members, the greatest benefit of all is the opportunity to improve the educational prospects and future lives of very needy school children through contributions of money and/or volunteer time.

SOURCE AND USE OF FUNDS Our funds come from membership dues, donations, fundraising events and newsletter and web banner advertising. Around 98% of all expenditures go directly to our Educational Support Program.

Administrative expenses of 2% or so are the cost of membership cards, web site host fee, annual government filings and stationery supplies. Our bylaws specify that general and scholarship donations must be applied fully to our Educational Support Program and administration expenses paid out of non-donation income. We are at no risk of breaching this provision. In recent years, administration expenses have been less than 10% of non-donation income. In summary, 100% of donations plus over 90% of nondonation income goes directly to FOM’s Educational Support Program.

HOW TO JOIN Attend a monthly meeting to pay membership dues ($M200) or log on to our web site and join on line. All are welcome! For information, donations or volunteer options, you may: 1. Log on to our website: www.friendsofmexicoac.org and pay by PayPal. 2. Email: president@friendsofmexicoac.org 3.

Approach any Director of the Board at any monthly meeting. Our web site is also the source of a great deal of additional information.

Friends of México will have the end of high season Hasta Luego Party on Sunday, April 10 at La Canoa on Camerón Sábalo just across the street from the Solamar Inn from 4 to 6 pm. Happy hour drink prices to FOM members and FOM discount on all food. See you there. LaVonne Turcotte, Events Chairperson.

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International Friendship Club President’s Message March 2011 The high season is closing and what a busy season this has been!

We have been able to provide many new projects in addition to our ongoing favourite activities. Our members have been great in donating their time thereby allowing the office to extend its hours to 4:00 o’clock Monday to Friday without any additional cost. The office and all our club visitors have greatly benefited from the added desk help of the many volunteers like Gloria Munroe, Lynette Fairclough, Jim and Sharron Woods, John Hamlin, Sherry Frish, Terry Horrox and more. The response has been so great that we intend to continue this practice in the next November to April season.

I wish to thank all the members who have donated their expertise, talents and time. They have enabled us to offer a variety of activities to fellow members and clubhouse visitors alike.

My thanks go out to Dan Grippo for his lecture series on so many interesting topics; Mexican politics, religions, history and the impact of the renowned Mexican women on the Mexican culture. To add to his generosity let’s not forget his donation of a badly needed CP Monitor!

I wish to give thanks to Murray Beer for sharing his two great loves (not counting Millie) the game of bridge and opera. Many of us started many years ago with very little or no knowledge of bridge but the time spent with Murray has taught us a great appreciation for the game. This year Murray shared with us his love of music and opera by presenting us: The Music of Leonard Bernstein. What a pleasure!

We also enjoyed learning a few more dance moves with the teaching of Jan Early.

Mary Lynn Coulter shared with us her passion for watercolour painting and encouraged us to explore it without fear.

Our thanks go to Mike McGee: our Chairperson- Director of Home Tours and his large group of volunteers that make this major fundraiser a success. Mike worked very hard this year in the face of two large challenges: The economic downturn and the direct competition from another charity group offering the same program as ours on another day bringing confusion to the mind of many tourists.

With the new challenges comes new ideas! It spurred the whole team to truly develop better web tools. We had made various attempts before through the years but we had never taken full advantage of the electronic media to put out our message.

Janie Albright Blank was brought on board in the late summer months and started to develop a new more user friendly website, as she progressed T.J. Hartung, our Newsletter Editor, got more involved and they worked hand and hand. In January they presented our members at the General Meeting a brand new website that is proving very popular already. T. J. is continuing to make improvements to it and keeping the data updated. I encourage you to visit it at: ifcvallarta.com.

Janie is also our co-publicist chairperson and with her great reporting talents and Bob Davidson wonderful photo taking we have been able to showcase the great work our IFC members accomplish in the community. Janie has also set us up on Facebook!

Part of this great working team is; the Barbara and Mel Bornstein one. Their energy and loyalty to the Club since it’s inception is remarkable. Barbara with a team of volunteer at hand, got Al Badner to do the fliers art work, successfully organized a great St. Valentin’s Day dinner and Gala Luncheon Fashion Show, not to be outdone Mel with the help of Fred Forbes made a success of the St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

Speaking of Fred, a huge thank you goes to you for keeping our clubhouse facilities in such great shape and for all the new improvements you come up with.

Added to this is your managing of “The Monday night movies”, the Friday night cocktail and dinners you organize that have allowed all of us to connect with each other, from old to new members, to first comers and family visitors. Each of us have found a friendly place to drop in and develop new friendships.

Let’s not forget our “out in the field” group where we also have dedicated volunteers that donate such a great part of their time and energy in response to the needs of the children and their families in need.

Susan Davalos and Patricia Mendez are our Chairpersons for Community Services and Medical respectively. Mel Bornstein is our Chairperson for Education.

What we all do as volunteers at the IFC is to provide the necessary funds that supports many needs that are facing our community, may it be medical, educational or nutritional.

It goes without saying that none of this could be accomplished without a great executive supporting team. So my thanks to the Executive Board that help me keep the ship running smoothly; Bill LeBeau, Vice President- Ira Horowitz, TreasurerLinda Horowitz, Recording Secretary and Helen Hartung, Corresponding Secretary thank you so much.

This year, in March, it was also time to elect a new Executive Board. The elected board will run for a two years term. It is composed of the following: Mandy MacLeay- President, Bill LeBeau- Vice-President- Admistration; Jack Kirkpatrick- Vice-

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

PUERTO VALLARTA

President- Membership Development; Fred Forbes- Vice- President- Management Facilities, Michael Montagano- Treasurer; Lynette Fairclough- Recording Secretary; Eric Davies- Corresponding Secretary. I am pleased to welcome them all.

Like many of you I am heading back north for the summer , but communication is always open, so do drop me a note, call to say Hello, enjoy each day, be happy.

Have a great summer, Mandy MacLeay

The IFC Valentine Dinner Dance Delivers Romance, Fun and Benefits our charities.

By Janie Albright Blank Valentine’s Day in the US and Canada and Dia de la Amistad in Mexico calls for a romantic evening no matter how you say it. With this is mind the Social Committee of the International Friendship Club (IFC), headed

by Co-chairs Barbara Bornstein & Jan Blacklidge, planned a dinner and dance at Mi Pueblito Restaurant at the Los Arcos Hotel on Monday, February 14. It was a great success totally sold out with more than 180 guests attending.

Entrance tickets were provided by Mi Pueblito so we had no upfront expenses.

The restaurant provided a great buffet dinner, a drink, and a beautiful rose for all the ladies. In addition there was live music for dancing and a great floor show of folkloric dancing. They even threw in a gorgeous sunset!

Artist Barbara Warren donated a charming, framed chalk and pastel drawing of the perennial Puerto Vallarta favorite rooster for the door prize. The hotel also donated complimentary Brunches and a Massage. Mike Hamilton set up an oldfashioned photo booth, reminiscent of our youth, and guests were able to take home a fun souvenir photo postcard to commemorate the evening with a portion of the proceeds going to the IFC. The best part was the International Friendship Club, the Cleft Palate Program and the many other charities the IFC helps to fund each year were also the beneficiaries of this great event. What a great way to celebrate El Dia de la Amistad! Photos courtesy of Bob Davidson. Many thanks Bob. In March two more fun fundraising events have been planned. On March 17 a St.Patrick’s Day affair, where all of the sudden we all embrace becoming Irish at least for a day!

The folks at Mi Pueblito Restaurant at Los Arcos Hotel on la Playa Los Muertos are once again offering the IFC a great party at a great price since our proceeds go to charity. They will provide live music for dancing and decorate the restaurant with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Fred Forbes and Mel Bornstein are chairing the event so let’s see what the guys can do! Check our website at ifcvallarta.com for details and get your group together now before tickets are gone! Details can be found at ifcvallarta.com.

On March 25th take part in a Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show. We are pleased to announce a new fundraising event for the International Friendship Club (IFC), a Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show at Coco`s Kitchen, 122 Pulpito in Zona Romantica at 12:30 pm. The Fashion Show will feature “His and hers” resort wear. Coco’s is known for their delicious food so you can’t miss combining great food and great fashion. Donation: $ 200 pesos pre-purchase (gratuity Included) or$ 250 pesos at the door (gratuity Included). The proceeds will benefit IFC Charities. Make plans now and get your tickets soon. Details at ifcvallarta.com. Or call 322-222-5466.

The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C. It is located at Edificio Parian del Puente #13, Calle Libertad Corner Miramar, Colonia El Centro, PUERTO VALLARTA, Jalisco, Mexico, 48300. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com. Email: ifcvallarta@gmail.com.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB/ CLUB INTERNACIONAL DE LA AMISTAD Edificio del Parian del Puente # 13 Calle libertad Esq. Miramar, Col centro Puerto Vallarta Jalisco 48300 Phone: 322 222-5436 E-mail address ifcvallarta@gmail.com website: ifcvallarta.com

Service

THE OJO CROSSWORD

DIRECTORY PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

ART GALLERIES - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: (376) 765-5097

Pag: 20

Pag: 02

BOUTIQUE - LA BOHEMIA Tel: (322) 222-3164 - MARIA DE GUADALAJARA Tel: 322-222-2387

Pag: 05 Pag: 06

COMMUNICATIONS - MAILBOXES, ETC. Tel: (322) 224-9434 - WWW.TWEETTOBEHEARD.COM Tel: (322) 297-0139

Pag: 06 Pag: 07

CONSTRUCTION/ARCHITECTS - ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION Arq. Juan Jose Rodriguez Tel: (322) 225-8248 Pag: 03 - MARIAN RING Tel: (314) 335-0225 Pag: 03

DENTIST - PATY ASCENCIO D.D.S. Tel: (669) 668-0548

Pag: 11

HEALTH - AUDA HAMMETT

Pag: 12

HOTELS / SUITES - COCO CABAÑAS Tel: (335) 004-2686 - HOTEL CIELO ROJO Tel: 311-258-4155 - LOS CUATRO VIENTOS Tel: (322) 222-0161

Pag: 08

REAL ESTATE

BANK INVESTMENT - BBVA BANCOMER Tel. 01-800-2282-728

- MANZANILLOGURU.COM Nextel: (314) 12 03 974, ID 62*160932*2

Pag: 19 Pag: 13 Pag: 21

- ABBOTT REAL ESTATE Tel: (314) 334-7460 Pag: 19 - COLDWELL BANKER MANZANILLO Tel: (314) 334-2000 Pag: 17 - COLDWELL BANKER BARRA DE NAVIDAD Tel: (315) 104-4951 Pag: 03 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Cell:. 331 467 1775 Pag: 20 - RON MORGAN PROPERTIES Tel: (329) 298-0492 Pag: 11 - MEXICO PROPERTY RESOURCES Tel: (315) 351-7489, 108-3425 Pag: 06, 16 - MANZANILLO REAL ESTATE.NET Cell: (314) 352 4209 Pag: 03 - PENINSULA Tel: 01 800 7 LEMMUS Pag: 28 - RE/MAX - PERLA PACIFICO Tel: (314) 333-2904 Pag: 09 - VALLARTA ESCAPES Tel: (322) 297-0139 Pag: 07

RENTALS - MANZANILLO HOLIDAY Cell: (314) 352-4209 - SANTANA RENTALS Cell: (315) 104-3283

Pag: 03 Pag: 16

RESTAURANTS/CAFES/CLUBS - BURRITO REVOLUTION CO Tel: (322) 223-0438 Pag: 05, 23 - JOLANDAS Tel: (315) 351-5449 Pag: 03 - JUANITOS Tel: (314) 333-1388 Pag: 15 - MATEJA’S BAR & GRILL Tel: (045) 322-147-6383 Pag: 23 - MEDITERRANEAN CAFE & REPOSTERIA Tel: (322) 172-2221 Pag: 09 - THE RED CABBAGE CAFE Tel: (322) 223-0411 Pag: 13

INTERIOR DESIGN

SCULPTOR

- JAIMAH Tel: (322) 22 121 98, 33 3826 4426, (329) 29 836 79, (314) 333 6700 Pag: 10 - MARIAN RING Tel: (314) 335-0225 Pag: 03

- ARQ. GERARDO ROMERO MORALES Tel: (376) 766-2594 Pag: 22

- VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS Tel: (322) 223-6182

MARKET - PICO DE GALLO Tel: (329) 291-3736

Pag: 14

Pag: 07

MOVERS - BALDERAS Tel: 01 (33) 3810-4859

Pag: 06

NOTARY - NOTARIA 1 - Raúl Gordillo Tel: (314) 332-1611

Pag: 10

Pag: 18

WATER - TECNO AQUA Tel: 01-800-3437-600

MEDICAL SERVICES - HOSPITAL ANGELES DEL CARMEN Tel: 01 (33) 3813-0042

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

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Pag: 21

ACROSS 1 El Qahira 6 Russian ruler 10 Canned meat brand 14 Uninvolved 15 Bee’s home 16 Women’s magazine 17 Design 18 Some (2 wds.)

19 Whimper 20 Ring 21 Lemon-like fruit 23 Compass point 24 Snaky fish 26 Cub 28 Black magic 31 Vegetable 32 Ending 33 Dryads 36 Formal “you” 40 Computer picture button 42 Boxer Muhammad 43 Closed mouthed songs 44 Roman emperor 45 Sample (2 wds.)

48 Tear 49 All right 51 Ballad 53 Collar 56 Splendor 57 Shoat 58 Sundial pointer 61 Stare at 65 Evils 67 Persia 68 Bitter 69 Gather 70 Deliver by post 71 Entity 72 Whirl 73 Heavy freight barges 74 Sugar-free brand

DOWN 1 Bivouac 2 Lotion ingredient 3 Small particle 4 Agitated 5 Spoiled 6 Thailand dwellers 7 Sieve 8 Allege 9 Changes the painting 10 Tailor 11 Lumber 12 Where you were at crime time 13 Battle royal 21 Disgust with excess 22 Neither’s partner 25 Billion years 27 Curse 28 Blood carrier 29 __ upon a time 30 Scent 31 Buckeye State 34 Christ’s mother 35 Wooden sheet 37 Throb 38 Ruler 39 See 41 Cranny 45 Sully 46 On top 47 Male cat 50 Cask 52 Time periods 53 Musical instruments 54 ___up (hiding) 55 Eyed 56 Small lakes 59 Brand of sandwich cookie 60 Countless 62 Clench you teeth 63 Cover 64 Lip 66 Pigpen 68 Dined

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25

MANZANILLO MUJERES AMIGAS LUNCHEONS- Monthly throughout the year, first Wednesday of each month, El Caribe Restaurant, 1:00 pm. Contact: Candy King, 044-314-103-0406, candyk@coldwellbankerbienesraices.com THIRSTY THURSDAYS – MANZAMIGOS- Weekly throughout the year, to be announced each week – www.manzamigos. com, 6:00 pm. Contact: Jack Akers, manzamigos@gmail.com, to join: Linda Breun lbgringa@gmail.com AMIGOS POR UN REFUGIO ANIMAL EN MANZANILLO AC – Monthly throughout the year, third Wednesday, Hotel Playa Santiago, 11:30 am. Contact Debi Teter 314-376-5974. ara.mzlo@yahoo.com.

MAZATLAN AMERICAN LEGION- meet the 3rd Tues. 1pm at the Olas Atlas Steakhouse. Call Ed Cunningham, Commander, Tel. 1360773, paradise1940@aol.com AMIGOS DE LOS ANIMALES-To report injured, abandoned domestic animals, adopt pets or to find information at Tel. 9864235 FRIENDS OF MEXICO- 2nd Tues. 10am at the Vineyard Church on Camarón Sabalo north of the Panama Bakery in the Golden Zone. Social hour 9am. www.friendofmexicoac.org HANDS ACROSS THE BORDERS- Meetings 2nd Friday of the month 9am at The Vineyard for coffee or breakfast.

MAZATLAN MEMBERSHIP LIBRARY-A non-profit with both English and Spanish titles. Summer hours Mon-Fri 10am to 2pm.

Tel. 982-3036, mazlibrary@gmail.com NORTH ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Tues. night 8:30pm at El Cid clubhouse.

CENTER ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Tues. at 8 am in the Agua Marina Hotel.

WEST ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Thurs. night at 8:30pm at the Agua Marina Hotel.

TRES ISLAS ORPHANAGE FUNDS- Serving Orfanatorio Mazatlán Salvation Army Home for Children, Father Tovar’s Home for Boys (Hogar San Pablo), Ciudad de los Niños, and FloreSer. One hundred percent of your donations tax deductible. Please visit www.orphanagefunds.org BOYS HOME (HOGAR SAN PABLO)- Paseo del Centenario #9 Centro, Tel. 982-3720 MAZATLAN ORPHANAGE- Zaragoza #227-A Centro Tel. 981-2214 President Cristina Peña de Herrera.

SALVATION ARMY HOME FOR CHILDREN- Major Frizzell Tel. 980-7609 HOSPICE MAZATLAN- Sierra Rumorosa #33 Fracc. Lomas de Mazatlán, For Info: Lois Croly Cell: 669-5441. www.hospicemazatlan-aip.org FIRST FRIDAYS ART WALK- Centrohistorico, 4:00 - 8:00 pm. April 1, May 6. www.artwalkmazatlan.com.

MELAQUE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Wednesday and Sunday 5 pm at San Patricio by The Sea Church. Contact Sharon 315-3557203.

PUERTO VALLARTA ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Meetings Monday to Friday at 8am and 8pm at #1712 Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Hotel Zone.

AL ANON- Monday and Friday 6:30 pm step study Saturday 9am. 222-3906, 222-2521 EXPATS IN VALLARTA-Meet 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. For locations and time check www.expatsinvallarta.com, expatsinvallarta.webs.com NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS- Daily 5pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 CODA STEP SISTERS- Tuesday 6:30pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 NIC ANONYMOUS- Monday 9am. 222-3906, 222-2521 ARTS- a 12 step program for creative people, Tuesday 8pm more info Bill at 222-5711 LIONS CLUB- Wednesdays 9:30 pm, Madero #280, 322-222-0313 OVER EASTER ANONYMOUS- Tuesday 5pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 ROTARY CLUB PITILLAL- Thursdays, 9:00 pm, Outback Restaurant.

OLD TOWN FARMER’S MARKET- Saturdays 10-2, Pulpito 127. www.oldtownfm.com

NUEVO VALLARTA FRIENDS OF BILL W. Mon. Wed. Fri. 6pm Vallarta time. In Paradise Plaza upper level follow signage to US Consul, to ‘door with notice ‘Friends of Bill W” Contact Adriana (322)297-0064

LO DE MARCOS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- 10am at Emiliano Zapata 37, contact Judy Te. (327)275-0328

RINCON DE GUAYABITOS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Monday and Friday 4pm at Peñamar Hotel.

ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS- Wednesday, 7:30 am, Restaurant Piña Colada.

SAN PANCHO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Friday 6:30pm. Tel. (311)2584488 AL ANON- Monday 5pm. Tel. (311)258-4488 CODA- Wednesday 5pm at Museum next to San Pancho Café more info Glenda Tel. (311)258-4488

SAYULITA ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS-Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 6:30pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 AL ANON- Thursday 5pm 11 Primavera Street. 222-3906, 2222521

YELAPA Generic 12 Step meetings on Sunday 4pm at Hotel Lagunitas

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011

The Ojo Crossword

English Church Services – Puerto Vallarta Assembly of God 1 de Junio #333, Col. El Calvario, Pitillal, 322-4163743 Sunday 10:30 AM –English translation Calvary Chapel Pablo Picasso/Diego Rivera #105 (beside La Playa store, just off Ascencio), 322-293-5455 Sunday 10:30 AM - English translation, and 6:30 PM – in English Wednesday 6:30 PM – in English (Bible Study) Centro Cristiano Nuevo Amanecer Sierra Aconagua #111 (next to Bancomer branch on Ascencio), 322-222-3330 Sunday 10:00 AM – English translation Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Emiliano Zapata #420, 322-209-0592 Sunday 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon – in Spanish (translators avail.)

Sunday 1:00 PM – in English (Sunday School) Worship in Paradise At Paradise Community Centre Sundays 10:00 am Pulpito 129, old town, www.worshipinparadise.org Christ Church by the Sea Blvd Fco. Medina 7936 (across from Airport) Sunday 10:00 am - In English www,christchurchbythesea.org, 322-209-0895 First Baptist Church Argentina #181 (corner Peru, 1 block north of Malecon), 322-222-1722 Sunday 9:45 AM – in English Iglesia Maria Reina de la Paz Albatros #270, Col. Marina Vallarta,322-209-1545 Sunday 11:00 AM - Bilingual Jehovah’s Witnesses Milan #271, Col. Versalles bthomson@prodigy.net.mx Saturday 4:00 pm and Monday 7:00 PM – in English Parroquia de la Santa Cruz Aguacate #233 (at Lazaro Cardenas), Old Town, 322-222-0989 Sunday 11:00 – part English Parroquia De Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe Miguel Hidalgo #370 (2 blocks E. of City Hall, corner of Independencia, Downtown) 322-222-1326 Saturday 5:00 PM – in English Sunday 10:00 AM – Bilingual

English Church Services – Mazatlan San Judas Tadeo Av. De La Ostra, Col. Sabalo Country Sunday 8:45 AM – in English The Vineyard Church Camaron Sabalo #335, Golden Zona (beside Budget Car Rental) Sunday 9:00 AM – in English

English Church Services – Manzanillo Pedro’s Cazuelas Restaurant Miramar Beach Sunday 5:00 PM – in English

English Church Services – Melaque St. Patricio By-The-Sea Sunday 10:30 AM, www.sanpatricio-by-the-sea.com

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El Ojo del Mar / April 2011