Saw you in the Ojo
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Saw you in the Ojo
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z DIRECTORY z PUBLISHER
Richard Tingen
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alejandro Grattan-DomĂnguez Tel: (01376) 765 3676, 765 2877 Fax: (01376) 765 3528 Associate Publisher David Tingen
Index...
FEATURE ARTICLES
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COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
VOLUME 33 NUMBER 5
Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Sandra Hernandez
Associate Editor Victoria Schmidt Contributing Editor Mark Sconce Theater Critic Michael Warren Book Review Panel Margaret Van Every Margaret Porter Clare Gearhart Roving Correspondent Dr. Lorin Swinehart Art Critic Rob Mohr Sales Manager Bruce Fraser 2ႈFH 6HFUHWDU\ Rocio Madrigal ADVERTISING OFFICE Av. Hidalgo # 223, Chapala Mon. thru Fri. 9am - 5pm Sat. 9am - 1pm Tel. 01 (376) 765 2877, 765 3676 Fax 01 (376) 765 3528 Send all correspondence, subscriptions or advertising to: El Ojo del Lago http://www.chapala.com ojodellago@prodigy.net.mx Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528
&RYHU %\ -RKDQ \ 22 POLITICAL PROFILE Dr. Lorin Swinehart believes that there are many yardsticks by which a president can be adjudged “great,� and that former president Jimmy Carter measures up to many of them.
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Editor’s Page
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Front Row Center
An early announcement about the 2017 Lake Chapala Writers Conference which opens in Mid-March.
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Imprints
28 SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
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Uncommon Sense
26 WRITERS CONFERENCE
Carol Bowman, through the good services of the Save The Children organization, was able to meet the child that she had long sponsored, a meeting high up in the mountains of El Salvador that Carol will never forget.
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Child of the Month
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Anyone Train Dog
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Lakeside Living
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Welcome to Mexico
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Profiling Tepehua
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LCS Newsletter
32 DEPORTATIONS Herbert Piekow has met and interviewed several Mexicans recently deported from the Unites States. Here are VRPH RI WKHLU VWRULHV DQG WKH HႇRUWV EHing made by the State of Jalisco to ease their entry back into their homeland.
40 EX-PAT HUMOR Ron Nussbaum remembers many of the conversations he has heard while sitting around the plaza in Ajijic, but so as to protect the not-so-innocent, he mentions no names.
PRINTING: El Debate El Ojo del Lago aparece los primeros cinco dĂas de cada mes. (Distributed over WKH ÂżUVW ÂżYH GD\V RI HDFK PRQWK) &HUWLÂżFDGR GH /LFLWXG GH 7tWXOR &HUWLÂżFDGR GH /LFLWXG GH &RQWHQLGR Reserva al TĂtulo de Derechos de Autor 04-2011-103110024300-102 Control 14301. Permisos otorgados por la SecretarĂa de GobernaciĂłn (EXP. 1/432 “88â€?/5651 de 2 de junio de 1993) y SEP (Reserva 171.94 control 14301) del 15 de enero de 1994. DistribuciĂłn: Hidalgo 223 Chapala, Jalisco, MĂŠxico. All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Lago. Opinions expressed E\ WKH DXWKRUV GR QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHĂ€HFW WKH views of the Publisher or the Editor, nor are we responsible for the claims made by our advertisers. We welcome letters, which should include name, address and telephone number.
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
LAKESIDE LIVING
Special Events Editor Sandy Olson
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Only Nine Little Words
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ote: Given the results of the recent presidential election in the United States, and the current threat from some quarters to drastically curtail the freedom of the press and the right of free speech, the following true story might be instructional. In 1734, in a small town outside New York City, the editor of a newspaper called The New York Weekly Journal was walking across the village square when he noticed a man who, having been severely flogged, was still out on public display, his arms bolted with wooden stocks. The editor, whose name was Zenger, asked the prisoner what his crime had been. He had spoken out against the British Crown. The case had never gone to trial, yet the man had been severely punished. Outraged, the editor wrote an article about the matter, and was soon arrested himself. Left in jail for several weeks without adequate food and water, he became weak, dispirited and felt utterly abandoned by the time his case was finally scheduled for trial. Zenger had more stalwart friends, however, than he thought, and one of them was the town’s most prominent attorney, a man named Alexander, who began to
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
work on his behalf. Another was the editor’s wife, who continued to print his newspaper out of the cellar of their home. By the time the case came to trial, it had caught the attention of much of the rest of the American Colonies. The matter seemed preordained. The judges, subservient to the Crown, had been bribed, and the jury was filled with people too uneducated to understand the issues. Justice, it seemed, was about to go on vacation. The attorney, realizing his client might hang, rode hard for several days to Philadelphia, where he enlisted the aid of a man named Hamilton, reputed to be the finest lawyer in all of North America. Together, the two men hurried back to New York, arriving just as the trial was ending. Striding into the courtroom as if he owned it, Hamilton immediately launched into one of the most inspired arguments for free speech that had ever been heard. With the spectators and even the jury finally bursting into cheers, a not-guilty verdict was hastily rendered. Hamilton had sounded the first clarion call for the right of every citizen to voice his opinion about the government without fear of recrimination or retribution, be it from the King of England all the way down to the mayor of a small village. In time, that call would make it into the Constitution of the United States of America, and today it is part of what makes America the great nation that it is. “Congress shall not abridge the right of free speech. . .” Those nine words would eventually alAlejandro ter the course of hisGrattantory. Dominguez
A Sneaky Twitch of an Itch! -RKQ 7KRPDV 'RGGV RGG RGGV GV
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know an Itch named am med ed onge on ge er Sneaky, he’s longer each h, than a finger’s reach, t, and he’s faster than a swat, just when you find his favorppears. ite spot, he simply disappears. kyy Itch You can’t tickle the Sneaky ou say away, and as soon as you y, the good night or good day, tch is Sneaky twitch of an Itch back—after your nose or toes, ch in the and even your ears. An Itch small of your back can just about bring you to tears. Catch me if you can, is all he’ll ever say, and just when you want to take a rest, is when he’ll start to play. How does an Itch know when your hands are full, your hoods done up, you’ve just put on your boots, or even worse, when your head is on the pillow, your pillows on the bed, you’re just about to fall asleep, when an Itch finds a toe, and it’s Sneaky who won’t let go! Sneaky has lots of friends. In corners, and crevices they keep. An Itch it just seems is always out of reach. They work in teams you know, and hop from hair to hair, and always let you know. They are bold and brave, and never scare—Itches can be anywhere! Now even Itches have times when they mind, and thank goodness, even a Sneaky Itch sleeps. There are good Itches, like a tingle or a tease, that come and go as they please, and then there are bad Itches that never, never go away, simply because you want it that way. You can pretend an Itch does not exist. Believe It (if you can), but an Itch is an Itch ignore it you might, in a flash there’s a scratch over here—over there; even when there’s nothing, an Itch is always there! All Itches love to travel. They can drive you crazy just trying to keep up! They’ll tickle the top of your head, slide down the curve of your back, stopping every now and then along their journey for a snack. Mornings are particularly pleasant, for they have been waiting all night long for just the right moment to strike, and when you are lying in bed, and you are still half asleep, that is when a Sneaky Itch is at its best. Or, when your skin is really really dry, an Itch can make you cry. They
love lo ove v you you u when you’re flaky, wh hen the th dirt builds up, or when your hairs ha gone snaky, and socks if you wear them for more th than a day, Hey! It’s heaven for Itches that won’t away an Itch g away. go y Wishing Wis won’t help, but we w all know they don’t like water. Even tthough some Itches are super tough, and ar won’t wash away in a shower, if you take a warm bubbly bath, scrub yourself clean, and rinse away the soap— for it’s the Itches only hope you’ll not quite clean the dirt away, and just to be certain you’ve chased the Itch away, add a little powder or cream. An Itch can wear many disguises. They can feel like a tickle, or feel like a twitch; A cat hair can sometimes confuse you, a trickle of sweat, a loose dangling thread, or heaven forbid crumbs in your bed, a dry bit of skin or a wound that is healing, a breeze through the hair, a fly that won’t scare—they’re up your nose, and in your ear—nobody knows what disguises they’ll wear. While you are chasing what could be an Itch, they’ve nestled in a crack in the small of your back, in just the right spot out of reach of a scratch to hopefully DRIVE YOU CRAZY! Friends help out with Itches especially the Itches that hide out of reach, or hop from the top of our head to your toes while you’re washing the dishes or falling asleep. Nothing, nothing is better than this…A Mom or a Dad who scratches that Itch when it’s just out of reach. What does an Itch look like? Heaven Forbid! Are they green? Are they purple or gray? With long skinny legs, and tiny little wings, tentacles, teeth and scratchy things? Is the Sneaky Itch here to stay, or can we make him go away with a rub or a scrub or a scratch…and where do Itches go when you chase them away? If you know what they look like or where they may go, Please…Please let me be the first to know. John Thomas Dodds
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Jewish Humor RZLW RZ Z W] %\ 6FRWW $URQRZLW] MDFODURQ#FR[ QHW QHW QH
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ook at Jewish histoist sto st ory. Unrelieved lamenting would d be intolerable. So, for every ten Jews beating their breasts, God designated one to be crazy and amuse the breast-beaters. By the time I was five I knew I was that one. –Mel Brooks, born Melvin Kaminsky Isaac Asimov is widely, if inaccurately, credited as the most prolific writer known to modern publishing. In addition to his volumes upon volumes of science fiction (a few of which are even good, well-written stories), his celebrated contributions to broad-
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er knowledge of the natural sciences aimed at laypersons, his geographically and chronologically appended overviews of both the Old and New testaments, and his often puzzling entries into all but one of the remaining dectiles of the Dewey Decimal System, he authored four books on 20th century American humor featuring several of his own jokes, quips and limericks.
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
Why? Some would respond that if the late Dr. Asimov had an interest in the subject, he would eventually get around to researching and writing a book about it. Not at all a flawed argument, given his bibliography, but I would contend that the explanation is more innate. He was a writer. He was Jewish. And there are laws. Ancient laws. Few people alive today apart from the men (and men only) of the communally cloistered Orthodox Jewry of Israel can honestly claim to know for certain all of the alleged 613 commandments of the Talmud. Some of us were even led to believe there were only 10, and that they all appear in Exodus 20:2-18. My last Hebrew school teacher was resolvedly more studied than most, and every now and again his desire to share some of the more obscure constructs of the pedagogy of Jewish history coincided with my sporadic ability to stay awake and pay attention for two additional hours on a Tuesday after six hours of oh-so-edifying public school required by law. (And yes, I do deserve special credit for this, as I suffered from ADD long before it had a name, and there were many a day, not a few of them Tuesdays, when it was nothing short of divine intervention that kept me awake beyond homeroom.) And believe it or not, I actually began the whole Asimov/humor diatribe intent on making a point. Somewhere in the Talmud, I am fairly certain, is a commandment stating that, if one is by trade a scribe, and one is Jewish, then at some point in one’s career, one must publish a volume, publicly deliver a sketch or set, author a screenplay or develop a TV series that demonstrates the integral component of Judaism that is humor. (What’s that? You say the Talmud never mentions screenplays or TV series? I will concede the point if, and only if, you present, in writing, all 613 commandments of the Talmud, accurately translated into modern English and irrefutably lacking any mention of 20th-century technology. No? Then pipe down and let me finish.) ************** Okay, I admit that I may have taken some liberties with my interpretation of Talmudic doctrine. And Issac Asimov’s motivations for publishing books on humor. And that sweet, little red-haired ingenue back in college. (Just ignore that last one.) You may be surprised to learn, however, that this is NOT the first article ever written on the subject of Jewish humor. And let’s face it: there are only so many unique ways in the English language one can
say, “Jews are funny.” And since, in spite of the tangential fake history lesson, you are still reading, we can agree to move on before you decide you have some important paint to watch dry. Giving the boot to the lecture format, we can say that the Jews, as a people, have not had the easiest of times. Long before we had our own country, we got kicked out of homes, off of land and even off of entire continents. Prior to our dominance of entertainment and mass communications, we often found we couldn’t even get Gentiles to listen to us because we were the “other.” There’s simply no way any widely scattered group of people that shared a common heritage could have survived since the time of Abraham without fortitude, resistance, the willingness eat nearly anything when necessary and, yes, an indomitable sense of humor. Alas, our cup runneth over. So far over, in fact, that we’ve flooded well beyond the field of what is historically known as “Jewish humor” and left our collective mark on the funny bone of all humanity. Fan of classic Marx Brothers farces? All four, and even selfexiled Gummo, were devout Jews their entire lives. And yet, nary a religious reference ever made it into any of their films. Woody Allen may exemplify the nebbishy, neurotic Jew better than anyone, but four decades later the population at large remembers Annie Hall not for Alvy Singer’s handful of self-loathing stand-up lines, but for the great lobster chase and the sneeze that disintegrated three thousand dollars worth of cocaine. Never missed an episode of “Seinfeld?” Jerry and co-creator Larry David descend from the Tribes. Ditto Michael Richards (Kramer) and Jason Alexander (George). And even Frank “Serenity now!” Costanza and his incomparably shrill wife Estelle, Italian as their fictional surname may have been, could only have been played by Jewish comedy legends Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris (ne Nussbaum). Which is not to say that strictly “Jewish” humor hasn’t had an impact. All those familiar with genuine Catskill Mountains resort culture—and alas, there are still plenty of people who’ve received their entire “Borscht belt” education from Dirty Dancing—understand that no one can capitalize on uniquely Jewish quirks and stereotypes quite like those comedians who all managed to sound like everyone’s great uncle Seymour after his third glass of Hiram Walker. And as I mentioned earlier, this is not the first article ever written on the topic of Jewish humor. Nor is it likely
to be the last (although I am retaining the rights, so I’ll probably just recycle it indefinitely). Because as long as Jews are persecuted, or even feel persecuted, or have anything at all to complain about.... as long as anti-Semites and anti-Zionists have a forum for their blind hatred (and isn’t the Internet age the gift that just keeps on giving?).... as long as some pandering pol insists on reminding his constituents that “some of my best friends are Jews!”.... as long as “that mamser across the street just had to say ONE MORE THING and he was done for!”.... we will continue to rely on humor to express our outrage, pain, indignation and, yes, even occasional joy the way only humor can. ************** ** And now, your reward eward for having read this far, or otherwise having g been savvy enough to skip to this point, here is a sampling of timeless quotes from that endless array of Jewish comics, writers, philosophers, etc., all of whom m fulfilled their Talmudic udic duties in contributing ng to the annals of humor, in these cases all in the English language, and some (just some) not even making any references to Judaism or its adherents.... First off, it seems only fair to include one of Dr. Asimov’s personal favorites, from his own Isaac Asimov’s Treasury of Humor: “A man is sitting in a movie theater watching a comedy-mystery. In the row directly in front of him sit another man and, in the seat next to him, a dog. Any time there is a visual gag or a verbal joke, the dog howls with laughter. Whenever the villain enters the frame, the dog begins growling softly but contemptuously. As the end credits are rolling the man taps the dog owner on the shoulder and says, ‘Sir, forgive me, but I have never seen anything in my life like your dog’s reaction to this movie! It was
incredible!’ To which the dog owner sighs and says resignedly, ‘Yeah, go figure. He HATED the book.’” “I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.” –Rita Rudner “When my daughter visits her boyfriend, she’s like Federal Express. She absolutely, positively has to be there overnight!” –Rodney Dangerfield “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read.” –Groucho Marx “I once asked my husband, ‘Why don’t you call out my name when we’re making love?’ He replied, ‘Because I don’t want to wake you up.’” –Joan Rivers “Eighty percent of married in America. The men cheat c rest cheat in Europe.” – Jackie Mason Ja “What did the waiter say to the table of Jewish women? ‘Good afternoon, ladies. Is anything here okay?’” –unidentified Catskills standfi up comedian And my personal faA vorite, which I’ve heard attributed to at least six different comedians, but which I’m pretty sure originated either in the Catskills or in an NYC comedy club: “Jan. 20, 21__: The first Jewish man ever to be elected President of the United States is about to be inaugurated, and while tens of thousands of people are amassed in front of the Capitol Building for the historic event, the man’s mother is in her rightful spot, a comfortable chair in the front row of the makeshift bleachers atop the stage. Seated next to her is the recently confirmed incoming Secretary of State, a genial man in his 50s. She leans to him and whispers, ‘You see that man standing next to the Chief Justice?’ He giggles softly and replies, ‘Yes, of course.’ ‘Well,’ she tells him, beaming, ‘his brother is a cardiologist.’”
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FRONT ROW CENTER %\ 0LFKDHO :DUUHQ Chapter Two E\ 1HLO 6LPRQ 'LUHFWHG E\ 3KLO 6KHSKHUG
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fter the death of his first wife in 1973, playwright Neil Simon married actress Marsha Mason only six months later. Subsequently he transformed those events into this semi-autobiographical play which opened in New York in 1977. Later there was a movie version starring James Caan and Marsha Mason, playing herself. In Neil Simon’s usual style, there are some witty one-liners combined with loads of sentimentality and pop psychology. Phil Shepherd and his team do a good job, making the most of the one-liners and carrying the audience along the rocky road of a hasty second marriage. Kevin Leitch plays the bereaved “George” with considerable
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skill. In the opening scene he has just returned from a trip to Europe, which was supposed to help him overcome his inconsolable sadness over his wife’s death. But coming back to an empty apartment is tough and we feel his pain. Zane Pumiglia is excellent as George’s brother “Leo” who is funny and cynical as only New Yorkers can be. He tries to cheer George up, and although he fails in his efforts he certainly cheers up the scene. On the other side of the split stage we
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meet “Jennie” (the Marsha Mason character) and her friend “Faye” who both have failed marriages. Jennie is recovering from her recent divorce, and Faye has a husband who leaves her alone for long so-called business trips. Michele Lococo plays Jennie, and is unfailingly nice throughout the first Act. Perhaps she’s a bit too nice, though Neil Simon doesn’t give her many clever lines. There’s a sequence of unintentional (and then intentional) phone calls between Jennie and George, and I felt that Michele missed an opportunity to be aggravated and add some depth to Jennie’s character. Meanwhile Collette Clavadetscher has a fun time being Faye – she and Zane have all the best lines and they make the most of them. In the second act, George livens up and falls in love with Jennie and they rush into marriage. Actually it seems that he’s really in love with the idea of marriage, and he wants to recreate the happiness he had with Barbara, his deceased wife. It’s a difficult unsympathetic part for an actor, and Kevin Leitch handles it well. Michele Lococo is strong in the scene after the couple return from a disastrous honeymoon, and she delivers a powerful monologue in which she tells George
that although she loves him she’s not willing to be a punching bag so that he can take out all his grief and guilt on her. This was Michele’s first appearance at LLT, and I hope to see her on stage again. Overall, the pace of the play was good although the first Act could have been cut by five or ten minutes. As always, Neil Simon’s command of snappy jokes kept the audience on their toes, and the cast received well-deserved applause at the final curtain. The set was original and effective, split into two apartments so that important phone calls could take place with both parties on stage at the same time. Congratulations to Ruth Kear and Phil Shepherd for the attractive set design, with tasteful décor and concealed lighting effects. Debra Bowers was Stage Manager and Beth Leitch was Assistant Stage Manager. Thank you to the director and all the crew who worked so hard to make this a successful play. In the New Year Death and the Maiden opens on January 13th – this is an intense psychological thriller. Viewer discretion is advised! Michael Warren
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Shanghai Museum: Furnishings & Jade
The Shanghai Museum’s stunning collection presents an intimate picture of Chinese culture and history that makes it a great introduction to China for the first time visitor. The museum has gathered together more than a million ancient art objects including bronzes, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, jade, coins, furniture. It is also home to the Minority Nationalities gallery. This museum is so vast and engaging that it takes no less than a full day to fully absorb its exhibits. I’m not an aficionado of home furnishings or jewelry, but for my shorter visit I singled out furniture,
jade, porcelain and the Minorities Gallery on the grounds that they would afford greater insight into the daily lives of ancient Chinese. FURNITURE GALLERY The Chinese were already producing intricately engraved and painted furniture as early as 1500 BCE. Its style is characterized by the use of thick lacquer finishes, detailed engravings, and paintings. Some of the features now widely regarded as Chinese began appearing more prominently around the start of the European Middle Ages. By the beginning of the second millennium, chairs, benches, and stools were in common throughout Chinese society. The newest and most com-
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plex designs were reserved for  use by officials and the upper classes. It’s an interesting bit of trivia that the Chinese introduced the folding stool, adapting it from designs of nomadic tribes to the North and West who valued them for their collapsability and light weight. When the Chinese ban on imports was first lifted in the 1800’s, larger quantities and varieties of woods began to flood in from other parts of Asia. These denser woods lent themselves to works marked by
even finer detail and more elaborate joinery. Â JADE GALLERY The Chinese began to carve jade as early as 3500 BCE. Simple ornaments with bead, button, and tubular shapes are among the earliest known jade artifacts. Many gemstones were considered by the Chinese to have properties for detecting and neutralizing poison. Jade has been traditionally considered to have particularly strong powers. -DGH FDUYLQJ 6KDQJKDL 0XVHXP
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Similar beliefs were widely shared by people in the preHispanic Americas and in Renaissance Europe. Aristocrats of the Han Dynasty were buried in jade suits intended to preserve the body from decay. Jade was also used for adze heads, knives, and other weapons which required delicate
shaping and finishing. Ceremonial blades began to appear in China during the European Middle Ages. By the dawn of the first millennium, new metal-working technologies produced finer tools which made it possible to carve jade into more delicate decorative objects. There are actually two types of jade.  Jadeite has about the same hardness as quartz. Nephrite is slightly softer, -DGH EURRFK 6KDQJKDL 0XVHXP but is more resistant to breakage than jadeite. Nephrite appears as creamy white in color, as well as in a range of green colors.  The white variety – known in China as “mutton fatâ€? jade – was the most highly prized until early in the nineteenth century, when the jadeite variety became more popular. Jadeite displays more color variations, including blue, lavender-DGH EURRFK 6KDQJKDL 0XVHXP mauve, pink, and green.  Translucent emerald-green jadeite is the most sought-after variety. In the nineteenth century, a vivid green jade from Burma known as Kingfisher Jade became the preferred gemstone among China’s rulers and imperial scholars.  Much of the jade carved in China today is still mined in northern Burma. See more of the Shanghai Museum in my next post. -DGH VFXOWSXUH PLQLDWXUH 6KDQJKDL 0XVHXP  The Shanghai Museum is centrally located within the sprawling People’s Park. Both sit on the site of the former Shanghai Race Club organized by and for Europeans living in the foreign concessions. They’re readily accessible by Metro lines, city busses, and Big Bus Tours. P.S. – Like many other foreign tourist attractions and upscale hotels, restrooms in the Shanghai Museum have Western-style commodes that distinguish them from the squatover-a-hole variety of toilet usually found in older and more local venues. Be forewarned. Antonio RamblĂŠs
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THE CHOCOLATE CURE %\ /LQGD 6RQQD www.DrSonna.org
If you’re sad and mad and tired and blue Here’s a sure-fire cure for you: When you are torn from grief and strife And sea-sick from the storm of life And counting friends who did you wrong, Too weak and puny to be strong… If you despair ‘cause money’s short, Find home as cold as some old fort, If you hate your weight, dislike your height, If your lover makes you feel uptight… When your bunions hurt and your stomach aches, And your back’s so bad your left leg shakes, I know a simple remedy. (It’s cheap!) (It’s fun!) (It works for me!): EAT SOME CHOCOLATE. It’s the best For soothing pains, restoring zest. The pick-up fix will make you fly! The sugar surge will make you high! If you gain weight or get some pimples, Love your fat! Ignore those dimples! Chocolate is the one sure fix, For sad and chocolate do not mix! The blackest cloud of pure depression Cannot survive a chocolate session. — Award Winning Recipe: 1 lb. bag of Nestle Chocolate Chips Two hands
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o this is the first column I have penned after the 2016 US election. Many of us were stunned and troubled by the election of Donald Trump as President. Of course, many others are presumably happy to see Obama go and the Donald arrive. So what can we make of this result? How did the conventional wisdom fail so miserably? What does it say about the United States and its role going forward? I think we can draw conclusions about the emerging economy, about the media, and about politics itself. It is increasingly clear that the economic dislocation felt by many rust-belt families is profound. Trump and his minions like to blame international trade agreements for the loss of US jobs, and it certainly has cost precious jobs in some areas of the country. But I believe that the economic evolution away from manufacturing and towards a data-based economy is a greater reason for job loss. As more jobs become automated, through robotics and sophisticated algorithms, more jobs will disappear, particularly jobs for men. The male, working-age unemployment has already risen dramatically. The electoral backlash in rural and rust-belt areas should have been expected. Trump has vowed to bring back coal mining and steelmanufacturing jobs. That is disingenuous, to say the least. He will likely face some push-back when these jobs fail to appear. This election also speaks volumes about the role of media: especially social media and television. Trump used social media to his advantage, and Facebook assisted him by providing a rich environment for the dissemination of “fake” news stories, usually benefiting the Trump campaign. It is clear that many voters, alarmingly, see social media as a primary source of news. The “mainstream” media was accused of being biased against Trump. Fair enough; they probably were. But it was Trump’s celebrity status, first established through his Apprentice television show, that made people think of him as a plausible
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leader. The media obviously found Trump’s raucous campaign rallies to be profitable because he was saying such outrageous things. For the media to profit off of his irresponsible demagoguery, and to ignore those candidates who were trying to make a rational case for their candidacies, was grossly irresponsible and certainly helped elect him President. I hope the networks have learned from this experience and will consider providing more balanced coverage of the next election cycle. (Why am I skeptical?) Finally, I think it is obvious that when it comes to politics, having a clear, understandable message matters. Bernie Sanders and Trump both understood this. Hillary Clinton’s focus on the unsuitability of Trump as a possible President did not work. She was right, of course, but her nearly exclusive focus on this drowned out the message she was trying to convey. Say what you like about Trump, he didn’t have an ambiguous message. It may have been insincere and full of untruths, but it was clear. Voters have always liked clear simple messages over complicated ones. Maybe Bernie could have won with his clear message, although he surely would have been branded a communist by the Trumpistas. We will never know. Now the good news: Trump is unlikely to be able to accomplish many of his more outlandish proposals. The election is likely to have focused the Democrats’ attention on making the structural and policy changes it will need to compete in 2018 and 2020. The pendulum does swing. As history has proven, democracy is messy, and often gets bad results. But in a crisis, it is more resilient than any other system. That’s good, because I think the US, and the world, is indeed headed for a crisis!
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CHILD
of the month
%\ 1LFROH 6HUJHQW &OLQLF 'LUHFWRU Rosario Gpe R.H.
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osario was born in 2009. She was born without her left eye and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Dandy Walker syndrome. Dandy Walker Syndrome is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum and the fluidfilled spaces around it. Symptoms include slow motor development, increased intracranial pressure and signs of cerebellar dysfunction, lack of muscle coordination or jerky movements of the eyes may occur. Dandy Walker Syndrome is sometimes associated with disorders of other areas of the central nervous system. Treatment for individuals with Dandy Walker Syndrome generally consists of treating the associated problems.
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She was fit with an eye prosthesis a few years ago. Rosario is in a wheelchair and attends regular physiotherapy at Teleton in Guadalajara. She has been with Ninos Incapacitados since 2009 and so far we have reimbursed the family with 154,006 pesos for transport, medication and therapies. The family has been helping at our events and Mom is very thankful for our help. I thank you once again for this opportunity to present Rosario. I invite you to join us at our monthly meeting at the Real de Chapala in Ajijic on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 am to meet our Child of the Month and to learn more about us. We see families at three locations: Jocotepec, Ajijic and Chapala. Should you want to visit or become a volunteer, please contact Barb Corol for Jocotepec (766-5452) or myself for Ajijic and Chapala (766-4375). I invite you to visit our website at: www.programaninos.com
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San Miguel Writers’ Conference Feature Billy Collins and Naomi Klein %\ 6XVDQ 3DJH
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nother epic week is being planned for the Twelfth Annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival, February 15 to 19, 2017, In San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Registration is now open, and we encourage everyone to register early to avoid disappointment. You may buy a package for the entire Conference or individual tickets to the events of your choice. Obtain complete information at our website: www. sanmiguelwritersconference.org. Keynote speakers for the February 2017 event will be the following: t Judy Collins, the legendary folk singer and author of several moving memoirs; t Naomi Klein, whose books The Shock Doctrine and This Changes Everything stunned the reading public
-XG\ &ROOLQV with their meticulously researched revelations. Naomi’s husband, Avi Lewis, who made a film based on the book, This Changes Everything, will also be at the Conference to present a screening of the film and conduct a Q and A in person; t Mary Karr, author of runaway bestseller, The Liar’s Club along with two sequels, plus her wildly popular guide for memoirists, The Art of Memoir, and her highly acclaimed
graduation address, adapted to a book: Now Go Out There (And Get Curious); t Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate, 2001 to 2003, whom the New York Times called “the most popular poet in America;� arguably the most beloved and acclaimed poet in the U.S. today. t David Ebershoff, whose debut novel, The Danish Girl, became an immediate bestseller and was made into a box-office hit movie; t -JTB .PPSF Canadian novelist and short story writer, who has been nominated for or won numerous awards for her writing and was nominated for the Man Booker Prize; t Pedro Palou, celebrated Mexican journalist and scholar who has written more than forty books, was the Minister of Culture for the State of Puebla; has taught at Dartmouth, and is currently Chair of the Romance Languages Department at Tufts University.
Post-Conference Intensive Workshops This year for the first time, we are offering four five-day intensive
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post-conference workshops: t i8SJUJOH :PVS )FBSU 0VU &Yploring Your Loves, Losses, and Longings� with Roger Housden, author of twenty-four books, including his famous Ten Poems series t i5IF 4FDSFU PG #SFBUIUBLJOH 'JDtion: What Lies Beneath the Surface� with Susan Brown, seasoned and highly acclaimed writing coach. t i8SJUJOH 1PFUSZ BOE 4IPSU Form Prose: A Multi-Genre Workshop� with Cecilia Woloch, celebrated poet and beloved teacher t i5IF $SBGU PG .FNPJS 8SJUJOH Fact as Fascinating as Fiction� with Gail Sheehy, journalist and bestselling author of Passages and Daring Spanish Language Events All of the keynote presentations will be simultaneously translated into Spanish. Each time we offer breakout sessions, we always offer one in Spanish. In addition, a full program of Spanish language keynote addresses and workshops, integrated into the English language schedule, will take place at Bellas Artes. Registration and Tickets The Conference offers three registration packages: Basic Conference (all the keynotes and workshops, available to the first 75 people who select this); Full Conference (all the keynotes, workshops, social events, and some extras); and The Whole Enchilada (includes two three-hour intensives plus an intimate round table discussion with one of the keynote speakers). In addition to these packages, individual tickets are available for each of the keynote speeches, for the three-hour intensive workshops, and for some other events. Please note that most of the keynote speeches and all of the packages sell out early. Registration is now open; so don’t delay too long before purchasing the package or tickets of your choice. For the complete exciting information on the Conference, to purchase single event tickets, or for easy, on-line registration for the Basic, Full, or Whole Enchilada Conference, visit website at www. sanmiguelwritersconference. org. We encourage you to register early for your choice of workshops. If for any reason you can’t register or buy tickets on line, write to Nathan Feuerberg at nathan@ sanmiguelwritersconference.org for personal help. Susan Page
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President Jimmy Carter: A Portrait in Greatness %\ 'U /RULQ 6ZLQHKDUW
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peaking of the extinction of species in an anthropocene world, Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson recently observed, “For the first time in history a conviction has developed among those who can actually think more than a decade ahead that we are playing a global endgame,” and urges that half of the surface of the earth be set aside for nature. The expansion of national parks and monuments, wilderness areas, and nature preserves and the establishment of wildlife corridors would go a long way toward fostering such a dream. Beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt, the United States has historically led the way in the field of conservation. There are many yardsticks by which a US president may be con-
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sidered great. Herding significant pieces of legislation through a recalcitrant Congress, bringing a protracted war to a successful conclusion or preventing a global catastrophe have all been used as measurements of greatness in the past. If one takes into account commitment to the biosphere, to renewable energy sources,
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
the protection and expansion of natural areas, then President Jimmy Carter stands out as one of our greatest. In the course of his single term as president, utilizing the Antiquities Act of 1906, Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act into law, establishing 104.3 million acres of our fiftieth state as national monuments, an area the size of the state of Minnesota. In the process, he proclaimed Denali National Park and Preserve, a 6,000,000-acre area with only a single road bisecting it. On December 2, 1980, he authorized the expansion of Glacier Bay National Monument by 523,000 acres, leading to the creation of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. This landmark action included ten national parks and preserves, two national monuments, nine wildlife refuges, two conservation areas and 25 wild and scenic rivers. While environmental groups and many indigenous peoples supported President Carter’s initiative, he was hanged in effigy by some groups in Alaska and needed extra security whenever visiting the state, proving neither for the first nor for the last time that he is a better person than are his detractors. His activism was not limited to Alaska. In 1978, he granted full wilderness status to the Boundary Waters canoe area of northern Minnesota and established the Pinelands National Reserve in New Jersey. Working closely with Congress, in the course of his all too brief tenure as president, he signed into law the Soil and Water Conservation Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, the Antarctic Conservation Act, the Endangered American Wilderness Act and the Superfund Act, and created the Department of Energy to promote clean, alternative fuels. Carter’s labors on behalf of the environment did not end with his
presidency. Even now, at the age of 90, he continues to publish book after book on subjects for which he has a passion: The tenets of the Christian religion; human rights, efforts to combat poverty and injustice, Middle Eastern peace, recollections of his rural southern boyhood, even a book of poetry entitled Always a Reckoning. In his 1989 book Outdoor Journal, he writes lovingly of fly fishing in such diverse settings as Japan and New Zealand, Camp David and his native Georgia, of being lost in a forest, meeting a rattlesnake, hunting for arrowheads, and the peace and joy to be found in the natural world. Carter ordered 36 solar panels installed on the White House roof as an example to his countrymen, exhibiting greater prescience than his successor who regarded them as silly and, in a disgraceful scene, ordered the panels torn off, to the accompanying Orc-ish hoots and claps of a coterie of coal and petroleum executives. One of the panels now resides in the Carter Museum, while another is on exhibit at the entrance to China’s largest plant that manufactures solar panels. I have often said that Carter, a fellow fly fisherman and the single US President who could successfully Eskimo roll a kayak, is one of the only two chief executives with whom I would eagerly share a wilderness campfire. In truth, Jimmy Carter is one of the few presidents since Theodore Roosevelt who would ever be found near a wilderness campfire. The other would be President Obama, whose environmental record is on a par with President Carter’s. Obama has used the Antiquities Act 24 times to create national monuments, including Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Castle Mountains, Katahdin Woods and Waters and others. It is to be hoped that he will follow once more in President Carter’s footsteps and declare the 1.7 million acres surrounding Grand Canyon National Park the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument and establish the 2 million acre Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, fitting capstones to a great legacy. Conservation is a fight that never ends. Perhaps other occupants of the Oval Office will exhibit the foresight and fortitude with regard to the environment that Carter and Obama have, as unlikely as that seems Dr. Lorin at the present. Swinehart
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COLUMNIST
Anyone Can Train Their Dog %\ $UW +HVV artthedogguy@yahoo.com
Keep it Easy, Simple and Fun
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y records show that with a New Year comes an increase in people enrolling in dog classes. In addition to the usual sit, down, stay, come, and heel I’d like to share some personal observations to make your training efforts more successful. Sit and Come are the two most important tasks to master. Sit is your “go to” command that locks the dog’s butt on the ground to eliminate jumping, chasing, and a myriad of other unwanted activities. Come is a no compromise. It can save your dog’s life. If you only master two things, these are numero uno. Whenever you are training or just telling your dog what you want him to do, always set yourself and your dog up to succeed. Chose a familiar, comfortable environment free of all distractions. This means no other dogs, phones, kids, etc. Make the task as easy as possible and build on successes. Avoid failures. There must ALWAYS be a reason for the student to perform a task. If the result produces a favorable consequence the student willingly wants to repeat the task. This is positive motivation. Obviously if the action produces an unwanted consequence the student is reluctant to repeat the task. This is negative motivation and can be used to teach the student to not do that which we don’t want. Remember dogs, and people for that matter, like to play and have fun. If the action is fun we like to continue and repeat. If this be the case, then use it to your advantage and make training fun. Concentrate on having fun and you will have a much more willing and enthusiastic student. Teach Good Behavior. This simply says that every environment has rules, regulations, and limitations that we all must follow and the same holds true for your dog. To teach good behavior you are required to be the “Leader” 24/7. That’s right, you can’t be leader some of the time and
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
ignore your job the rest of the time because if you are not providing the guidance, you are letting the dog be the leader at that time in that situation. If the dog is allowed to be the leader why should he listen to you when you want him to come or sit or whatever? Be consistent in your commands, hand signals and body language and above all in your expectations of performance. You can’t expect a clean come and sit, that results in your dog coming briskly to you and sitting in front and maintaining focus one time, and then saying “Oh well that’s good enough” if he comes part way and then trots off when you reach down to touch his collar. If you compromise you are telling the dog that there is another acceptable performance. Train throughout the day. Training doesn’t have to be a formal session. If you are going for a walk remember to never try to put a leash on a dog that isn’t sitting. Sure it can be a little difficult at first but if you insist and persist then it will become the norm and your dog has added one more example to good manners. If the dog runs and barks at the front window or door when a car or kid goes by, your job is to get up, go to the dog, get his attention, redirect his attention and correct his actions. If the dog does something you don’t approve of, correct it and change it. This is your responsibility. Dogs, like kids, don’t become well mannered by accident. Lastly, Dog Training is not rocket science. It’s about 20% technique and timing and 80% practice and repetition. This is why it is so difficult for many people because they don’t have the patience to repeat, repeat, and repeat once again. Dogs learn by repeated successes. Keep it easy, simple and fun and you’ll enjoy your results. Art Hess
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M
ost writers harbor dreams of six figure sales. The 2017 Lake Chapala Writers Conference will help writers of all genres learn how to achieve your goals, close that deal or simply get your book published and available to readers. Major publishing houses and production studios only accept manuscripts submitted through an agent, period. Ken Sherman of the Ken Sherman Agency, Los Angeles represents both literary and script writers. During the 2017 conference Mr. Sherman will share what the literary publishers and Hollywood producers are looking for. Mr. Sherman will meet one-onone with attendees who register early. If you want to find out if your story is marketable this is your opportunity to pitch your idea or finished work. This will also be a perfect time to listen to Mr. Sherman share his inside knowledge about getting published or having a script produced. Before you submit your manuscript publishers recommend the writer work with an editor who will almost definitely suggest ways to improve and strengthen your story line, develop a character. Sandi Gelles-Cole is a member of Book Editors Alliance and has lent her editorial knowledge in line editing, rewriting and marketing bestselling books for mass market and paperback publishers. She will walk us through the steps to present a perfect manuscript and she will also consult with interested individuals about your
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
book ideas, marketing plans or critique a part of your written work, but you must pre-register to take advantage of the one on one private session. The more perfect your writing the better chance you have of finding an agent to help sell and market your work and avoid the slush pile or rejection letter, this year you will have the chance to pitch to both an editor and an agent. The focus of the 2017 Conference is on getting published and to that end we will also feature Mikel Miller and Judith Briles, each of whom have helped writers achieve their goals of getting published and of marketing. Guadalajara printer Carston Groppe has helped a number of local writers realize their book dreams by printing their books. If you want to see your book in print, find representation or just want to learn more about being a writer then you need to register for the 2017 Lake Chapala Writers Conference. Registration forms are available at Diane Pearls, corner of Colon and Constitucion in Ajijic. Registration is: $2,000 pesos for registration before March 1st, 2017 after the first of March the cost is $2,500 pesos. Conference dates are: Wednesday, March 15 Cocktail reception – Thursday 16´th and Friday 17´th coffee and mixing begin at 8 AM, sessions start promptly at 9 AM. Registration costs include Thursday and Friday lunch, refreshments during breaks and all lectures. One-on-one sessions are included for those who register by February 28th.
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FEATHERS FOR LUNCH; HONEYBEES FOR DESSERT %\ &DURO / %RZPDQ
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his wasn’t a trip we could reschedule, but a 36-inch blizzard two days earlier threatened to block our visit with Save the Children officials in El Salvador and a family living at the base of a volcano. As the clock ticked, the nail-biting, pacing and praying paid off. The welcomed grind of the township snowplow and the sound of a horn beeping shattered the tension. The driver of our scheduled limo SUV had maneuvered the one-lane ruts to take us to the Philadelphia Airport. We trudged through the shoveled path, threw the suitcases over a frozen embankment and jumped into the Jeep. As we deplaned in San Salvador, the Central American heat burned away images of the cold. Eager anticipation of meeting our sponsored child, a six-year old first grader, filtered in as a taxi took us to the Save the Children Office. Daniel, chauffer of the officially marked Land Rover and Maria, project director assigned to Francesca del Carmen’s village, welcomed us. After a four-hour journey through unpaved, mountain passes winding to an elevation of 6,000 feet, the rounded nipple of the volcano loomed above us. Despite the reduced humidity, beads of sweat bounced on my skin. Thoughts of having lunch with Francesca’s entire clan raced through my
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mind. My god, what will a poor family of 14 serve us? Will we die from cholera or typhoid? Daniel maneuvered the Rover downhill on a footpath littered with plastic containers, rusted tools and remnants of poverty. In the clearing ahead, a ramshackle dwelling that provided shelter for Francesca’s extended family leaned, looking vulnerable to a strong wind. A woman with frizzy hair stuffed under a red head scarf, wearing a flowered, wheat-sack dress and a soiled, white apron, was chasing a terrified, bony chicken around the yard. “That’s Luz, Francesca’s mother,” said Maria. “Mamá’s apparently trying to catch lunch.” As we stepped from the car, Luz made a successful snatch and she greeted us with a squawking bird in one hand and a cleaver in the other. Francesca’s older sisters, her father and two brothers-in-law drifted over to give warm Latino hugs to the first gringos to ever set foot on their parcel of fallow land. Simple, unschooled Spanish matched our elementary command of their language, so conversations flowed easily. I searched the brood for a six-year old, the centerpiece of this unlikely mingling of cultures. Stranded on the porch, a small dark-haired darling, wearing a pale blue organdy dress,
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
twisted back and forth and stared down at her black patent-leather shoes, already coated with dust. I wondered what Mamá had sacrificed to buy her daughter this impractical outfit, hoping to please the Americans. I approached Francesca, introduced myself as her padrina and led her to a split log doubling as a bench. Her starched skirt crinkled on the splintery seat, her tiny shoes dangled far from the ground. This was so much for her to comprehend. Gifts for the family lifted the nervous air. School supplies, a ball and jacks and a jump rope offered Francesca relief from the attention. She and her cousins giggled as they learned to hop over the twirling cordat the right moment. Grandpa rocked his thin rail frame in his chair on the porch, soaking up these odd happenings. I presented him with a pair of binoculars, showed him how to adjust them and search the thicket for wild turkeys, boars, or mountain deer. Now they could spot their next meal, instead of killing egglaying chickens. Fascination danced in his eyes. While Luz plucked lunch’s feathers, I showed an older daughter, Rosa how to insert four of the year’s supply of batteries into a portable transistor radio. The antennae towers rising up on nearby Mount Picaelo serving San Salvadoran radio stations provided this remote area with strong reception. I tuned the FM dial until American music, popular here, blared. The mood matched the catchy rhythm of the 60’s. Grandpa put down the binoculars, took the radio, glided his fingers over the smooth metal frame, and stared at the mysterious sounds coming from the small box. This gift had found a keeper. Mamá guided me to a banana tree, bunches of green fruit hanging low. Mixing the hard-fleshed plantains with corn meal made dough for tortillas, but instructing the gringa how to flap the mixture back and forth in her hands, failed miserably. My misshapen oval disks puffed up on a 55-gallon drum lid, seasoned with oil and flecked with rust, acting as acomal over the barrel wood stove. A caldron of boiling water sat on an open fire. I stiffened as Luz tossed in the cleaved pieces of chicken, still coated with stubborn feathers, a handful of root vegetables and unknown herbs. Lunch was served! My husband passed a spoonful of the watery broth close to his lips and pretended to suck it in. I actually swallowed the concoction, wondering if I would survive this poor man’s feast. Francesca’s father diverted my fears, when he presented us with two
bottles of Orange Crush. He walked to the nearest town to get them, he said. I forgot about typhoid and cholera and relished in this family’s generosity. As we dined al fresco, sitting at a hand-hewn planked table, magic happened. Frank Sinatra’s distinctive voice drifted from the radio, as he belted out New York, New York. We told the family of his fame in America, but none understood the enormity of that moment; two displaced persons, sitting somewhere on the side of an El Salvadoran volcano, comforted by the familiar. “Tiempo por el dulce,” said Luz, as she made preparations for dessert. She disappeared into the house and emerged looking ready for Halloween. Wearing a large brimmed hat with screen-door wire netting attached around the perimeter, a long sleeved torn jacket, rubber gloves, one red, one blue and calf-high black boots, she carried an orange plastic pail. Taking my hand, she led me up a well-trodden, wild flowered path. A buzz hummed. Mamá pointed proudly to the base of a tree where a honeybee hive rested. A Save the Children project provided mothers with a live apiary and instructions on how to harvest pure honey as a sustainable source of income. She opened a removable frame, scooped out a section of honeycomb with her red glove and plunked it into the pail, angry insects trapped in the thick, sweet mound. As we picked through the combed dessert, stray bees swirled from the mismatched bowls. Maria had a final surprise for us. She directed Luz, Francesca, my husband and me into the vehicle. I held Francesca on my lap, savoring precious time with this child. Daniel drove two miles, stopping under a hand-painted sign, Casa de la Familia Salud. The Family Health Center operated by Save the Children provided vaccinations for all the youngsters, pre-natal care for pregnant women and basic medical service for the villagers. We rounded the corner and twenty-five mothers, cradling babies and holding older children close, waved signs of Gracias and Bienvenidos. “This is the first time they can put a face with the benefactors who have saved the lives of their families, said Maria. “This gathering to thank you was their idea.” Our monthly monetary contributions had materialized into a hopeful El Salvadoran family, while an American icon crooned in the Carol L. background. Bowman
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%\ -RKQ &RPDQGR
O
xymoron? As far as I’m concerned, there is no defense of lima beans. And I’m sure this article will leave a bad taste in the mouths of some of my readers who like them. Hate is a very strong word. But, in no uncertain terms, I hate lima beans. My ex even got me a tee shirt once with a cartoon that said “hates lima beans,” just so no one would have a doubt. I wore that shirt with pride for many years. When I told several friends about this blog’s topic, they tried to convince me that, with the right recipe, I could transform lima beans into a wonderful dish. Sorry, folks. That’s like saying
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you can remove the taste of liver by bathing it in something like hot fudge sauce, or the sliminess of Okra by disguising it in a bowl of curry, or change the funky taste of Papaya by mixing it with strawberries. Just think of the food you detest the most. Then think of the food you love the most. Would you risk ruining the latter by mixing it with the former? I remember when I was a kid and sick. The doctor told my mom to mix aspirin with apple sauce or Hershey’s chocolate syrup. For years, I could eat neither. I’ve never known why someone would want to ruin a perfectly good ear of corn by mixing its kernels with lima beans. I guess
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
that’s why they call it “suck”-a-tash. I have nothing against most types of beans. I’ll eat fava beans, navy beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, green beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, cannellini and more. I’ll eat barbecued baked beans, refried beans, cassoulet, chili with beans, black beans with rice, chana, minced pork with fermented black beans, dim sum filled with sweet bean paste, and roasted garbanzos from a street vendor in Chapala. Unfortunately, there is an odd combination of flavor and texture that makes lima beans thoroughly objectionable to my pallet. I’m pretty sure lima beans were put on earth to teach little kids how to turn up their noses. Or maybe to show them that no matter how bad calf liver tastes, there’s something else on the planet that tastes worse. They never tell little kids that there are laws against cruel and unusual punishment. Kids shouldn’t have to make a tortured decision about whether to eat their lima beans or go to bed without dessert. I can just see some disgruntled thirteen year old pulling out the cell phone that their parents bought them and reporting them to “children’s services” for the dinner table equivalent of water-
boarding. But a lot of us were told that we should eat all of the food on our plates because there were starving children in China. I never understood how gagging on food at the table would help anyone. And I never thought, at the time, to try retorting, “Jeez mom, if you want me to eat everything on my plate, please don’t put lima beans on it…and how about calf’s liver too. Just send the stuff straightaway to China.” By the way have you ever seen lima beans on a Chinese restaurant menu? I think the Chinese are an advanced civilization and passed on lima beans to us folk in the western hemisphere centuries ago. There’s probably some person at NSA who likes lima beans and will discover this article and flag it for subversive thoughts. I can just see myself, the next time I go back to the states, meeting with some gnarly customs agent, who after scanning his computer screen, turns toward me with an inquisitive look and says, “Are you the guy who wrote the article about lima beans? I’ll look back at him in incredulity and nervously whimper, “Yeah?” Then he’ll activate his walkietalkie and call for back-up. As two tough-looking agents arrive and put me in hand-cuffs, he’ll inform them with pride, “We got him…the lima bean guy.” They’ll lead me off to some room in the bowels of the airport, open the door, sit me down at a table, and undo my handcuffs. Then with broad smiles, they’ll watch as another agent walks into the room and puts a bowl of lima beans in front of me, and says, “Now, eat your lima beans. You’re not going home ‘til they’re all gone.” RetirednSingleBlog.wordpress. com. John Comando
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%\ +HUEHUW : 3LHNRZ
A
ccording to data from the National Immigration Institute in the first ten months of 2016 around 10,500 migrants have been deported back to Jalisco from the United States. These returning jaliscienses are eligible for funds from The Fondo de Apoyo a los Migrantes, each of Jalisco´s 125 municipalities has access to these funds which are allocated to help with transportation expenses, shelters and to help returning citizens earn a living. This sounds good, but who are our deported neighbors and what did they leave behind when they were forced to return to Mexico? One day, I was riding a public bus
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in Guadalajara, where I live, my cell phone rang and the conversation was in English. The moment the call ended a young man, in his twenties, took the seat next to me. He told me he had recently been deported from Arizona where he was studying accounting and working part time in a credit union. Currently he was living with an aunt and uncle whom he had not seen since he was two years old; the trouble was he could not speak Spanish as his parents insisted he speak only English. He is currently attending Spanish Immersion classes and hopes to eventually get a job in a Mexican bank. Shortly after that encounter I went to look at a condominium being built
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
close to where I live. The poised thirty something saleswoman showed me through the complex, answered my questions and chatted amicably in Spanish. When I left she thanked me in unaccented English. I asked why she allowed me to struggle in Spanish when her English was flawless. She told me she had been deported and needed to practice Spanish. Her’s was a sad tale. She had been involved in an accident, been deported and forced to leave her husband and her three US- born daughters. She would like to return to the U.S., but the process is long, uncertain and costly. In fact she must wait five years before she can apply, then she is required to use an immigration attorney and nothing is guaranteed. Another time I was shopping in nearby Tonala and encountered an owner of a business who switched from Spanish to English. His story was of being deported, but being fortunate because his wife’s family were glass manufacturers and they offered him a job because he is bilingual. He brought his Mexican born wife and their two US born children to live in Mexico. Another local man I met one day was deported for driving drunk, not the first time. As a child he was brought to the US where he was educated through community college. He worked as a mechanic for a Sacramento, California auto dealership. He left behind a US born wife and five children, one with severe Downs Syndrome. He said they had a nice house with swimming pool, the children did well in school, the family went on regular trips to the beach or Disneyland, and except for his occasional drinking it was a happy family and he never thought about being an illegal immigrant until he was deported to Tijuana. Eventually he made his way to his grandmother in Guadalajara. In the past three years his fourteen year old daughter has become pregnant, his boy with Down Syndrome has died, his wife lost their house and new van and although he works as a mechanic, he does not make enough to help his California family. Currently he is living with a local woman and they have a fourteen month old. The one bright spot, his eighteen year old son has joined the US Marines. One woman I met told me her mother and father were legal farm workers in the US, but when her father abandoned his pregnant wife for another woman, my acquaintance’s mother returned to Mexico to give birth. As a baby Claudia, my acquaintance, went to California and eventually married a Navy man together they had two children and moved to North Carolina where Claudia was a medical
receptionist. She says that one day two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents came to her office and asked about her legal immigration status. She explained what she knew of her background, they took her to a holding facility; she was permitted to phone her husband who could bring her a backpack of personal items and some money. They were not allowed to hug or kiss goodbye before she was flown to Texas, put on a bus and escorted to Mexico, the country she left as a baby. Her husband was granted a transfer to San Diego, so they could sometimes meet in Tijuana however, since that time he has remarried and their two US born children now live in Guadalajara with their mother. He does help with the children´s support and Claudia works in a local hospital, but the pay here is low. She thinks a jealous co-worker called the ICE officials, “But it doesn´t really matter,” she says. “We have a new life. Next year my teenage daughter is going to live with her grandmother and go to high school in Southern California and my son will do the same in a few years.” The children still keep in touch with their father and he promises to help with high school and college expenses. Recently there were flyers, in English, on almost every electric pole near where I live. These posted pieces of paper advertised jobs for English speakers. I phoned and was informed that a call center was relocating from Arizona and needed about five hundred English speakers, age made no difference. I went to investigate, the majority of the applicants were young people in their twenties, and I did meet one man about fifty who had been a plumber in the States. Most of the young deported people admitted to having been in some sort of minor trouble in the US, most were from Arizona and California and a few from Texas. They were glad for a job even though the pay for full time employment was only equivalent to USD five hundred dollars per month, they do get health benefits for themselves and family. Although this US call center has moved from the US and now provides much needed jobs in Guadalajara, the reason the firm moved was not to help Mexicans, but more likely the company’s balance sheet. From research I found that currently about one in six people being deported are males and that they were picked up at work, while in 2005 only about three percent were picked up at work. Today 27 percent of those deported have lived in the US for more than a year, compared to only five percent in 2005. Fifty two percent of
those currently being deported are forced to leave behind a spouse, or unmarried partner, most with US born children, which must impact the US social services. The deported persons are taken from the US to the nearest Mexican border town and left to fend for themselves. In Tijuana the local shallow river is now a latrine for the more than three hundred thousand men who live along its banks in cardboard shelters. Young men are approached to carry drugs; women are abducted and turned into sex slaves. The deported must buy their own Mexican destination tickets
and all too frequently these young people have no resources. With predictable results the border town murder rates have increased substantially, as in Reynosa where the murder rate has increased by sixty-six percent in the past few years. I applaud the state of Jalisco for trying to rescue these bilingual deportees by offering to pay transportation and help them reintegrate into their Herbert W. own culture. Piekow
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We came to Ajijic Fiesta again To see Rondallas Chapala, new friends of ours, Twelve young men sing and play their old refrains Melodically on acoustic guitars. When we arrived we learned the wait was 2 hours For their romantic Spanish ballads’ feel. So we had time to greet old friends of ours, and there we saw our favorite Ferris wheel. Years ago we lived nearby in a bosque, The wonder of a forest real Just 3 or so cobblestone blocks away. We walked each November to ride the wheel. Now snugly safe with my man at my side, We ascended, gliding above the carny, and too-loud music of amusement rides To see familiar places appear nearby. Up – our home was just up there. Down – back to the festive din. Up – the church where I sang in the choir. Down – the crowd here is thin, Up – the chapel where we went to Quincinera. Down- the children run nearby now in play. Up – the Casa de Cultura where I had shown my art with ASA. Down – two times this plaza had been where I had my paintings outside: No sales, hot sun, lots of art friends. At least I can say I tried. Up – I can see where we went years ago to Mel’s garden costume party. Down - we will soon move to Patzcuaro Yet memories shall stay here partly. Up – a kiss for my husband in the heights, Down - Though this ride is over We shall take with us these eventful sights As we travel this wide land over.
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he day was the kind of day every tourist dreams of. The sky was blue, the ocean picture card turquoise and the white sugar sand beach just firm enough to walk on comfortably. Henry Hackensaw and his wife Elizabeth reflected on how wise their choice had been in selecting this spot on the map. Standing together with warm water swirling around their ankles and the sound of the gentle surf breaking on the beach combined to lull them into peaceful relaxation and complete contentment. A soft pat on Mr. Hackensaw’s left shoulder broke the reverie they had been lost in. Turning away from the ocean, he gasped in surprise at the deeply tanned smiling blonde looking right into his eyes and asking a question he failed to comprehend. His preoccupation converged on three little red triangles of fabric and thongs. “I asked if you and your wife would like two free dinners and five free nights accommodation?” she repeated huskily. “No we would not young lady.” Replied Elizabeth with unconcealed hostility and more than a smidgen of jealousy. “Whoa a little minute there Elizabeth, let’s at least hear what the lady has to say,” Henry said without turning, fearful that this unexpected feast his eyes were devouring would suddenly
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disappear before the meal was over. “All you have to do is listen to a presentation over there,” she pointed, “and they’ll give you the lunch and accommodation freebies.” Henry felt his elbow being gently and fleetingly touched. Behind the mirror glass windows of the condo, every visual move had been noted by the sales team awaiting fresh meat supplied by the beach body snatcher. “Just my luck,” Snarled the salesman on ‘point. “They look old enough to fart dust. If it wasn’t for the way he leched after Sandy, I’d just as soon broom ‘em right up front and cut my losses. His old lady’s already mad as a walrus from hell ‘cause the way he came on to Sandy, so I’ll pitch to her and go straight for the jugular. Give me a chance to earn a spiff.” “Hi folks. How are you today?” He smiled and extended his hand. “I’m Burt Miffler. What’s your first names? I like to keep it real friendly.” “Right, Henry and Elizabeth, let’s sit over there. Can I get you a coffee or a soda or something a little more exotic?” He gave Henry a little nudge and the suggestion of a wink. “Folks, let me ask you a question. Do you vacation at least one week a year and pay for your accommodation? Good. And do you intend to continue doing so? You do? Right, then I can save you mucho dollars.”
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
Attempting to relax and disarm them, Burt entered into idle chatter with no apparent relevance to sales. He was trying to determine whether they would bitch, bolt or buy. From experience he knew that some bitched and looked for the first chance to bolt for the door and freedom, forsaking their gifts. He carefully pitched towards Elizabeth, even flirting a little as she began to slowly thaw. “Now, would you like the long tour or the short tour Elizabeth?” He thought he’d try a practice close before getting into the heavy grab’em-by-the-throat stuff. For the first time she noticed how close together his eyes were and how many and big were his teeth. She shuddered slightly and knew how little Red Riding Hood must have felt when the big bad wolf revealed himself. “Er, what’s the difference?” She caught herself in time before adding “Mister Wolf.” Burt Miffler cleared his throat and replied. “Well the long tour includes two videos, an overview of vacation ownership with all the benefits, tax advantages, exchanges, financing and inspection of our models.” Grudgingly returning his smile, she asked. “And the short one?” “Give me a major credit card and sign here.” The false laughter was equally shared as the Hackensaws noticibly fidgeted in their chairs with discomfort. Burt pressed on. “Just my little joke, folks. This is a fun business, nothing heavy but you do want to know how I can save you money, that’s why you came in here, right?” He gave Henry a surreptitious little wink. Pulling a yellow legal pad towards him and with a black felt marker pen started writing upside down as he spoke. Rather like an AAA clerk preparing a Trip Tik route for a member. They watched him scrawl numbers rapidly while talking, lots of them. Draw arrows spiraling off the page to show inflation. Jab the yellow paper for emphasis, breaking two pens. Ask rhetorical questions. Draw little smiley faces and then later cross them out to make his point. Meanwhile, the totally confused Hackensaws squirmed in their seats, but picked up that like the house they owned and lived in, a timeshare could be used, rented, loaned, deeded or sold. However, unlike their house, a timeshare could be exchanged anywhere in the world. Burt paused, took a sip of his coke and looked directly at Elizabeth who averted her eyes. Her husband was looking out of the window to see if Sandy was out there almost wearing her red bikini. “Henry,” she said, making no at-
tempt to hide her annoyance. “Did you hear anything that Burt said just now?” “Yeah, sure. It’s going to cost us a thousand or more sometime down the road for a hotel room. Big deal. How can it cost us what we ain’t got eh?” For Henry’s benefit, Burt went through the plan again very slowly and deliberately, maintaining almost constant eye contact. “So, Henry,” he concluded. “Let’s get down where the rubber hits the road and go have a look-see at a couple of models.” At the mention of models, Henry quite involuntarily looked out of the window. His wife pulled him away and they followed Burt. Standing on the condo’s private balcony overlooking the ocean below, the Hackensaws had to admit to each other the setting was paradise-like. The furnishings lent themselves to permanent living, and Burt was not dilatory in saying. “You can see yourselves here relaxing and enjoying the beauty can’t you?” Without thinking, they both agreed. “Which would suit your needs better, the one-bedroom or the twobedroom with two baths?” “Oh the two-bedroom is a lot more spacious but we couldn’t afford it. How much is it anyway?” “Let me ask you a question. Other than cost, is there any reason why you wouldn’t own with us today?” “Well, it depends on how much.” “I said, other than cost. Let’s assume the cost was affordable, would you come to a conclusion today?” “We’ d have to think it over. We never make hasty decisions.” “But you have already made a decision.” “We have?” “Yes, when you decided to follow Sandy into our office an hour or so ago. You haven’t forgotten that?” He looked at Hackensaw. “And if there’s anything you don’t fully understand, let’s put it to bed right now. If cost is a problem, we can bury that too. So let’s go back downstairs and get some ink on the paper. “ By the time they sat back down at his table, he had worked out his strategy. Looking over his shoulder at his other colleagues pitching away at buffaloes dragged in off the prairie, he whispered from behind the back of his hand, inviting them to come closer. “I shouldn’t be saying this, but just before you came in I overheard the sweetest deal of the year. I’d have bought it myself but company rules forbid it. Man, are you guys in the right place at the right time let me tell ya.” “What is it?” Henry whispered. “Well. One of our owners has upgraded from a one bedroom unit to
a two bedroom one. His equity was used as part trade, you can do that you know, and his one bedroom unit’s back in inventory at a real knockdown price.” He rapidly scribbled black numbers on a fresh page of his legal pad and showed them the bottom line. They still offered resistance and started to get up. “Okay, okay. You are two smart business people, you really are. I’ll tell you what I can do, even if it costs me my job. Let’s just put this loose goose to roost. What if I threw in a four-night cruise to sweeten the pot? So that’s as far as I can go, let’s have your credit card and we’ll get at the legal stuff while you’ re sipping ice cold champagne.” “No, we’re not going to do anything right now. We’re going to think it over and come back tomorrow. We’d like our free dinner coupons and accommodation we were promised.” Burt’s attitude changed. “We don’t get be-backs in this business, it’s now or never. Do you think I do this job for dumps and giggles? There’s your damned coupons and get the hell outa here.” The Hackensaws scuttled away from Burt Miffler’s clutches and said they were glad that they had chosen the seafood dinner.
The tall ivory-skinned raven haired beauty wearing fishnet stockings under her short shorts and a low-cut halter leaned over Henry. He could smell her delicate perfume. “Hi folks,” she breathed, “Welcome to Slimy Sam’s Seafood. I’m Dixie. Tell me, do you eat out often, at least once a week and pay for your meal?” Peter E . Gibbons
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T
om”, m”, ”, Herb Herb sa ssaid, id d, ll me once oncce “Tell m o r e e -off ee-off off about your face-off with the Alpine ne Gang. “Not again” “Yes, I think there’s a great story there, maybe even a homily. You were always the tough one. The one things happened to. Go ahead. You can tell your brother.” “Well, okay. It was like this. I was new at Cathedral Boys High School. Three years behind you. We were down by the L.A. railway yards, near Chinatown on North Hill, Alpine Gang turf, Ronnie Renish and me.” “Did you know where you were headed? Did you have a plan?” “Not really. Not spoken. It was a weekday after school. I wanted to see the alleys. We were looking for some excitement. I had a trench knife, rumored to be illegal if car-
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ried by a civilian.” “I loved that knife. I’d seen it in Commando, a magazine at Curley’s barbershop. A Vet who had one traded it for my car accessories I ‘d gotten through Midnight Auto Supply: hubcaps, antennae, hood ornaments.” “Switchblades were popular with the guys I met at the Youth Authority. Trench knives were the most threatening, evil appearing weapons. Ready to use right now with the finger-holed handgrip. Made to do immediate damage.” “At night I hid it under my mattress. Daytimes I carried it against my ribs inside my leather jacket, ready to pull at any chance.” “Ronnie and I went into an alley off First by Alameda. It stunk of garbage and whatever. The alley got darker and came to a T. We each went a different way.
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
When my way came to a dead end I heard behind me, “White boy, what you doin’ in our turf?” “I spun around and saw a guy, about my age, shorter, in a long sleeve plaid shirt hanging outside his baggy, khaki, pachuco pants. My hand reached inside my jacket, for t steel. To be ready. I heard, ‘You the n need a lesson, not to be here.’” “I pulled the trench knife out, rem membered to hold it underhanded llik a practiced knife fighter, showlike ing it in the most menacing way. The guy took a step in front and slightly to the right of me, made a move with his right hand and laid the end of the barrel of a .38 revolver on the center of my forehead. Right where the ashes go on Ash Wednesday.” “Give me the pig sticker or you get a bullet right now.” “Even now I feel that cold steel on my forehead and the warm urine running down my leg.” “I shook the knife off my fingers, heard it clatter onto the pavement. He removed the pistol from my forehead, grabbed the knife and said, now vete, get out of here,” still holding the gun aimed at my head.” “Tom, you were always the adventuresome one, near the edge, but landing on your feet.” “Yeah, I just always wanted to go, to do, to be something, right now. You were the quiet, studious one. Seemed boring to me.” Herb said,” When our Dad was lost at sea in WWll, Mom, you and I got along best we could. She got on at Blue Seal laundry. Got enough hours to pay the rent and feed us. I liked school and pitching on the high school baseball team. You learned about life and the streets of LA. I believe I was in the seminary by the time you had the alley incident. Then you went into the Army.” “ Yeah, Jack Reader, an L.A. cop pulled me in and gave me an ultimatum. “Tom Fitzpatrick, I’ve had your file since you aged out of the Youth
Authority. You should be an inmate at the Jail. I’ve got three cases that’ll send you there right now. I’m tired of dealing with you. You keep running the streets you’ll be either doing hard time or be dead. Tell you what; you go with me tomorrow to the Induction Center. I’ve got a contact there that will take you in no questions asked.” “We did. I did. And six weeks later I was on my way to Korea.” “There I was the coldest and most scared I ever was. The Chinese came pouring across the Yalu River. Thousands and thousands of them. I lay on my belly on the frozen, rocky ground, shaking from fear and cold. They pushed and climbed over their fallen predecessors to take my next bullet. Then a mortar shell took my left shoulder off my body. My whole self was aflame with pain and shock. Medics took me by stretcher out of battle to the MASH tent where I lay outside on the ground with many others. The day darkened, the temperature dropped, the North wind increased. I didn’t know if I was dying. I didn’t care. ‘God take me now.’ I don’t want to be saved so I can do this again.” I lay there crying with relief. My war was over.” “Wow! Tom, you sure had an active life and almost death. But you kept coming back for more. How long did it take after Korea for you to heal?” “Six months at Lederman then I was released with a medal and a disability. Never was a student and didn’t know how or what to study. Landed in Frisco. Knocked around and ended up at Saint Ignatius Center. They took me in, cleaned me up gave me a room and a job helping guys like me. While there I thought there must be a better way for me to live, more like you. Slow down, think more, get some schooling. I began to wonder if they’d take someone like me in the seminary. They did. I’ve been with the Society ever since.” “Herb, I’m glad we live in the same rectory.” “Tom, I have a bottle of Jameson’s’ here. Would you care for a drop before you go back to your room? It helps one sleep you know.” “No thanks, Herb. I sleep fine as it is.” Are you saying Mass tomorrow?” “Yes, Tom, 7AM at the Cathedral. And you?” “My Mass is here in the Chapel at 8:15.” Bernie Suttle
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Eavesdropping At The Ajijic Plaza %\ 5RQ 1XVVEDXP
“…Flat. That woman is flat!” My ears perked up. What a rude thing to say, I thought. I was standing between two popular gathering places at Ajijic’s plaza, El Jardin Restaurant and Black and White Coffee—Yes. That is how it is spelled — waiting for a friend. Conversations from under their outdoor umbrellas swirled, ricocheted, and collided around me. I was drawn into discussions in which I had no interest. “Can’t someone tell her she always sings flat? She shouldn’t be in the church choir anymore. She sounds like…” “…Hell! That damn dog just did it on the sidewalk,” a man blared behind me from the restaurant. “He did it right there, where everyone walks. And, look, his owner just saw it and now he’s pulling the dog’s leash, leading him away. That man should be punished, maybe forced to…” “…Watch FOX News. I do it for the laughs,” a slender man in a black trucker hat told three coffee drinkers sharing his table. “I mean, there hasn’t been a good TV comedy since…” “… Bill Clinton said, ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman,’” the slight, elderly man sitting near the back of the restaurant told the much younger Mexican man sitting with him. “What does he consider sexual relations? Whether he thinks so or not, oral sex is…” “…A trophy wife. Who cares if Trump has a trophy wife? He’s gonna make America great again. I’d be more concerned if he has…” “…My Passport. I have just got to update it,” a bearded man in an orange and lime green aloha shirt told a short, older man wearing red, white, and blue striped suspenders over his dingy white T-shirt. They stirred their lattes in unison, clinking a caffeinated Morse Code. “Louise and I plan on taking another trip to…” “…Pluto. I don’t know why but Pluto has always been my favorite Disney character.” The woman with a gray-blonde bun plopped atop her head dabbed the remnants of lunch
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from the corners of her mouth and placed the wafer-thin paper napkin on her plate. “Have you ever noticed that Pluto has got the biggest…” “…Basket. It is bigger than he is,” a bald man wearing a Toronto Blue Jays jersey said as he watched a young boy carry a broad basket teeming with baked goods across the plaza. His voice carried from the coffeehouse’s furthest umbrella. “His pastries are really good,” the man added. “But the best are his fried…” “…Skateboarders. It’s not safe walking on the malecon,” a feeble, angular woman wobbling past me in a walker complained to a much younger Latina inching along next to her. The younger woman had a bored expression and appeared to be more concerned with the older woman’s safety than her words. “Those skateboarders, with their disgusting sagging pants and visible underwear,” the woman continued, “are more rude and disrespectful than…” “…Republicans. Oh yes. There are more living here than people realize.” My head turned back toward the restaurant. “There could be as many as…” “…3.97. But that wasn’t enough to make me valedictorian or salutatorian. I was crushed,” a woman uttered in a slow Southern drawl from the coffee shop. “But it didn’t stop me from attending Texas A&M for a semester and then, years later, returning to school and going to Trump University. But not making high school valedictorian absolutely knocked me…” “…Flat. A damn flat tire in the Walmart parking lot,” my friend startled me as he panted his arrival. “So that’s why I’m late. Anyway, I finally got new hearing aid batteries and I can hear again. So how long have you been waiting?” “What?” I replied. Ron Nussbaum
SO YOU THINK YOU’RE SO WELLEDUCATED!?
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d. Note: What follows has been authenticated and published by several major newspapers, including USA Today.) 8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS 1895 Grammar 1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters. 2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications. 3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph. 4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of lie, play, and run. 5. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar. Arithmetic 1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic. 2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold? 3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50 cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs? U.S. History 1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided. 2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus. 3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War. Orthography 1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymol-
ogy, syllabication. 2. What are elementary sounds? How classified? 3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals. Geography 1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend? 2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ? 3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean? Gives the saying “He only had an 8th grade education” a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?! Also shows you how poor our education system has become and, no, I don’t have the answers! (The above in italics accompanied the article when published in USA Today.)
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learned more m re mo e about the e im-portance of of trust and honesty onestty from John who wa was w as in his early 50s, 0ss, a psychologist- turned urn ned d -clown, known an and nd dre r n ren loved by children and adults alike.. As A Mr. Balloony, he quickly and d delightdelight d l h fully, before our eyes, transformed flat and long colorful strings into active light hearted creatures which captivated each child in the audience. We delighted in the magic brought forth through Mr. Balloony, the man with the soft smile, sparkling eyes, nimble fingers, and an endless source of breath. John lived in a light filled spacious home in Atlantic Beach, Florida, where he and we, his friends, practiced weekly yoga together. The yoga gathering ended for no known reason. Months later, I received word that John was living elsewhere and was ill. I called on John in the small, dark one room apartment he had moved into and found him looking like his living space, dark and drab, and on dialysis because of kidney failure. We openly talked and agreed that he would come live with me and we would care for his kidneys. I created a room that was bright, furnished with a single futon on a polished pinewood floor, a potted geranium and an asparagus plant, a bamboo shaded floor lamp and sliding glass door leading to our lily pond
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housing many creatures including singing frogs. John’s diet was macrobiotic, which included food and lifestyle designed to revive his kidneys. Believing that food and touch are essential to the healing process, I massaged John using sesame oil and hot ginger poultices daily along with mugwort moxibustion applications. He would drive himself to dialysis treatment two times a week. After three weeks of our healing interaction, he needed dialysis only one time per week. John came home early and shared with me that the nurses greeted him saying he no longer required treatment. John moved on, revived Mr Balloony, and hit the road with a female fellow clown. Several months later I heard that John’s kidneys had failed him and he died. Now I see that John or I were not fully engaged in his healing, mainly due to previously unresolved issues between us. His symptoms disappeared but the cause remained. I was reminded that symptoms are the first to be relieved, through drugs, surgery, diet, herbs, psychotherapy or prayer. Symptoms can be eliminated and be called a cure by modern medicine’s definition. It’s necessary that the underlying cause be addressed in order to bring forth a true healing. I believe healing calls for one to look within for the cause: Emotions, lifestyle, thoughts, all have to be explored. The essence of this work must never be mistaken for a static form that can be repeated. It is not ‘one size fits all.’ It is a participatory process based in deep intimacy, two human beings present with each other both suffering the same predicament and coming out together.
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
Saw you in the Ojo 45
Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529 Email: sandyzihua@hotmail.com
VIVA LA MUSICA “LIVE AT THE MET” OPERA Here’s something to look forward to in 2017. Saturday January 7 Romeo and Juliet by Gounod. This is originally a La Scala production, featuring Diana Damrau as Juliet. Saturday January 21 Rusalka by Dvorak. This tragic story of water nymphs stars Kristine Opolais as Rusalka, and Brandon Jovanovich as the prince who captures her heart. Saturday March 11 La Traviata by Verdi. A modernized production starring Sonya Yoncheva, Michael Fabiano, and Thomas Hampson. Saturday March 25 Idomeneo by Mozart. Set in the Trojan Wars, the production stars Matthew Polenzani and Elza van den Heever. Saturday April 22 Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky. Anna Netrebko stars once again in one of her most acclaimed roles as Tatiana. Bus trip tickets are available at the LCS ticket booth on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 am to noon. The cost for members is 400 pesos and 500 for non-members. FOR YOU FILM BUFFS OUT THERE Every Sunday afternoon in January and February, Lakeside residents look forward to the annual Jewish Film Festival sponsored by the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation. We hear that this year a portion of the proceeds will go to Mision San Pablo Orphanage in Ixtlahuacan. The festival premieres on Sunday, January 8 at the Cinemas del Lago at the Bugambilias Mall in Ajijic. The films begin at 1 pm (except for Judgment at Nuremberg on January 29). January 8 Remember (2015, Canada/Germany) An award winning thriller, with stellar performances by acting greats Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau. The film follows a dementia-stricken Holocaust survivor on his own war criminal hunt. January 15 Dough (2015, UK) This is a cross-culture comedy about a failing kosher baker who takes on a young Muslim apprentice to help build sales and save his business. January 22 Defiance (2008, USA) Based on the true story of brothers leading a guerrilla movement against the Nazi’s in 1941 Belarus, “The Bielski Partisans” represented the war’s largest and most successful group of Jewish resisters. January 29 Judgment at Nuremberg (1961 USA) PLEASE NOTE AN EARLY START TIME. This film runs three hours. The performance starts at 11:30 a.m. and will have one intermission. This film won six Oscars and has a star-studded cast. It tracks the war crimes trial in 1948 Germany of four Nazi judges who used the legal system to condemn innocent Jews to death. February 5 Baba Joon (2015, Israel) A first! Israeli film, Iranian cast, speaking Farsi. Semi-autobiographical, this family story of Jewish Iranians explores the age-old conflict between a father and his young son, who wants something more than to inherit the family turkey farm. OPEN CIRCLE Sunday morning finds many Lakeside residents at the Lake Chapala Society and Open Circle, a forum on a variety of stimulating topics. A social hour with coffee and snacks at 10:00 a.m. is followed by an interesting lecture and discussion at 10:30. January 8 The Power of Forgiveness Presented by Susan Weeks We’ve all had some life experiences that were not as we would have wished them to be. Through humor, philosophy, and science Susan will explore how we might change our perspective on our past. Susan believes we can create our “reality” through our own thinking—through forgiveness. January 15 Yoshida’s Sword Presented by Neil McKinnon In 1859 a Japanese samurai named Yoshida Shoin was beheaded by the ruling Shogun. Before his execution, he gave his sword to his pupil. While researching the story of the sword, Neil McKinnon turned up a number of coincidences, some right here in Ajijic. Neil lived in Japan for six years. He has been published in the U.S. and Canada, and his book, Tuckahoe Slidebottle, was short-listed for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and the Alberta Award for Short Fiction. His novel, The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday, was published last year. He has taught university in Canada and Japan. January 22 Retirement Migration to Mexico: 20 years of Research and Reflection Presented by David Truly
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In 1997 David Truly came to Ajijic to conduct research for his dissertation in Geography on international retirement migration. His study shed new light on the types of people that migrate outside of their home country and the impacts of these migrants on local communities. January 29 The Mysterious Metamorphosis at the End of Life Presented by Loretta Downs, MA, CSA Loretta returns to Open Circle with new material from her TED talk, “The Mysterious Metamorphosis at the End of Life.” With more than 30 years as a companion to AIDS patients, nursing home patients, hospice patients, and friends and family nearing the end of life, Loretta developed an informed and compassionate perspective on quality of death. David Truly Online resources are available at: www. endoflifeinspirations.com February 5 The Career Project: Opening Windows to a Better Future Presented by Glorine Barnhardt Glorine will talk about The Career Project, which she initiated in early 2015 to help fulfill the Lake Chapala Society’s expanded mission to “become more active in the Mexican community.” The Career Project’s mission is to encourage students to stay in school, to visualize chosen careers, and to identify appropriate educational pathways to realize their ambitions. GET READY FOR AN EXPLOSIVE THRILLER The next show in the Lakeside Little Theatre’s season is Death and the Maiden. It is directed by LB Hamilton. It will be on stage January 13 to 22. Set in a post-revolution South American country that has only recently returned to democracy, this explosively provocative, award-winning psychological thriller stars Russell Mack, Jacinta Stringer, and Paul Kloegman. After being named to head a commission to investigate crimes committed by the recently ousted military regime, Gerardo finds himself stranded by a flat tire. Good Samaritan, Dr. Roberto Miranda, offers the lawyer a ride home. Upon hearing Miranda’s voice, Gerardo’s reclusive wife, Paulina, believes him to be the monster who degraded and tortured her years before. Make sure you get your tickets early – this is an excellent way to kick off the New Year! Tickets will be on sale at LLT’s box office during the usual hours. Check details at www.lakesidelittletheatre.com. FOR YOU JAZZ LOVERS OUT THERE Niños Incapacitados is announcing the return of jazz great Guido Basso, legendary trumpet and flugelhorn player, vocalist Heather Bambrick, and acclaimed jazz musicians. They will perform in two concerts at the Auditorio, in different programs. There are two shows: Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, January 15 at 2:30 pm. Ticket prices are 350 and 450 pesos, depending on the seating. For reservations, contact dawnmcginnis14@gmail.com or call her at 766-2030, Tickets are also available at the Auditorio on Thursdays and Fridays, 11-1 pm. PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is hosting four seminars relating to life and death at Lakeside. Here they are: January 14 Sheila Paul will speak on the public medical clinics at Lakeside and what they have to offer Guido Basso January 21 Dr. Nena Echeveste
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will describe the services of the Red Cross and will make available forms to assist the Red Cross should they need to be called in an emergency. January 28 Cynthia Guzman, Chapala Funeral Director, will advise on what steps need to be taken in advance of the unexpected. February 4 Lawyer Azucena Bateman will speak regarding the laws we need to know in Mexico. The seminars run from 10:30 to noon. There is no cost other than reimbursement for printed materials. Contact Bernice Parris for further information. bhparris@yahoo.ca 766-4270 St. Andrew’s Church, Calle San Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar TIME TO JOIN If you’ve enjoyed Viva la Musica presentations in the past you have the chance for even more enjoyment on Sunday, January 15. Viva’s Annual General Meeting is at 3 pm, at the lakeshore home of Tony and Roseann Wilshere, #35 Nicolas Bravo. The meeting will be followed by the membership renewal party at 4 pm with a concert, champagne and finger food to follow at 4:30. All this is free with a 2017 membership if you join Viva at the event. Viva membership is 300 pesos. Non-member guests may attend for 100 pesos. Attendees will be entertained by Juan Pablo Medeles (violin) and Rodrigo Leal (piano), both past Viva scholarshp winners and fabulous musicians. PAINTING WHILE YOU WATCH Members of the Lake Chapala Painting Guild have been offering demos in various media at Sol Mexicano. The artist in the final demonstration is Carol Ann Owers, on January 19 and 20. Each session will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until at least 1 p.m. There is no charge and reservations aren’t necessary. Everyone is invited. Sol Mexicano is located on Colon #13 in Ajijic, a half block south of the plaza. THE BACKLASH BEGINS! The Women’s March on Washington on January 21, the day after the US presidential inauguration, has galvanized some here in Ajijic to have a protest march on the same day at the Ajijic Plaza at 2 pm. Local activist Jill Flyer is organizing the event. Several speakers are scheduled, and then the group will then march down Calle Colon to the Lake. For more information, call 766.3025 or 331.140.1171. “COME AWA BEN THE HOOSE….. ….we’d be fair glad tae see ye”. That’s a welcome and offer to come and join He Promises He Will Be There
(Robert Burns)
Michael Tsalka
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in celebrating Scotland’s greatest bard, Robert Burns, and also to support Niños Incapacitados’ children. This supper is a popular annual event, so get your tickets early. The date is Wednesday, January 25, at the Real de Chapala Hotel, starting at 5 pm. The ticket price is 400 pesos. You can reserve tickets for tables of 10, or seats at open tables. Ticket contact is Mary Steele at 765-3226 or ppnitx@gmail. com This is a lively evening and will include dancing, bagpipe music, tributes and toasts….a traditional dinner with a bite of haggis….a wee dram of scotch….singing and a no-host bar. Don’t miss it. WE’RE READY FOR A LOVELY CONCERT Thursday January 26 Viva la Musica presents Michael Tsalka, international pianist, who will perform a lovely concert: “Dancing in the Moonlight.” The concert will cost 450 pesos for
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members and 500 for non members. It will take place in the afternoon at a champagne reception in a private home. For more information, contact Viva President Rosemary Keeling at rosemarykeeling@ hotmail.com or phone her at 766 1801. PUBLIC VIOLENCE AND QUIET GRIEF The December Man is the January Naked Stage production. It is directed by Lynn Phelan. It runs January 27, 28 and 29. In the aftermath of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, Benoit and Kathleen do everything they can to help their beloved son cope with his guilt and rage... but Jean’s young life becomes unglued. This searing drama on courage, heroism and despair explores the long private shadow that public violence casts. It’s a tragedy in which the humanity of the characters Director Lynn Phelan gives the play a surprising buoyancy. The Naked Stage is in Riberas del Pilar, at Hidalgo #261, on the mountain side and directly across from the Catholic Church. For more information and reservations, email nakedstagereservations@gmail.com. For those who use Facebook, look for The Naked Stage for breaking news and updates. DOWN WITH SMALLPOX The Ajijic Book Club will meet at La Mision, Rio Bravo No. 7, on Tuesday, January 31 at 4 pm. The focus of the meeting will be Searching for Sitala Mata: Eradicating Smallpox in India, written by ABC member Connie Davis. She worked for the World Health Organization, and Connie Davis faced many challenges as she traveled throughout India on a campaign which ultimately was successful. Everyone with an interest in this topic or in ABC is welcome. ABC is available on the website at http://computerguyajijic. com/abc/FAQ.pdf SUCH TALENT…. Kenneth Salzmann, one of our favorite poets, has been nominated for inclusion in this year’s PUSHCART PRIZE anthology. His poem is titled “What But the Music.” Congratulations, Ken! SHARPEN THOSE WITS Here’s something to look forward to—Niños Incapacitados’ annual Trivia Quizzes. This year the event will be on Tuesday, February Kenneth Salzman 7 and will take place at the Hotel Real de Chapala, Ajijic. The afternoon session, 2 pm to 5 pm, is 250 pesos per person. The evening session, 6:30 pm to 10 pm, is 300 pesos per person. Brain-teasers, creative costumes, colorful table arrangements and delicious food treats will make for a festive, fun-filled afternoon and evening. For tickets, contact Debra McDermott at 765-3757 or email her at mcdermottdebo@gmail.com.
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e wa was as an o old ld d d dog. og.. og Locked ocked k d out out of the party place after the revelers had all gone home, he waited for days at the side of the road for his owner to return. He might have been a fine guard dog when he was younger, or a dog that fought in a ring as he had scars and his ears were tattered, or maybe he was a man’s companion who got in fights over bitches, as he sure was macho. I’ll never know. I took him in the day it rained and he became my responsibility. We took him to the vet, who said he’d been beaten, his bruises hidden by black fur. Bart would look at Francisco with devotion so pure it would break my heart. For the next month the old dog and the tender man, who also had a scarred history, became like one. Neighbors rejoiced, as they had been saddened by the dog that waited for its owner at the side of the road. A man bought him a doggie mattress of purple velveteen; a woman, a spontaneous cash contribution for his care. A feeling of celebration was in the air at the prospect of a solution to Bart’s plight. But there was no solution. What Bart needed was a loving hand to help him over the
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Rainbow Rain Ra inbo bow w Br Brid Bridge. idge ge. It went unnoticed Bart wen entt un unno noti tice ced d that thatt B art sat on either one hip or the other because of a large prostate tumor, that his ‘privates’ dribbled, that he slept with his tongue hanging out because he couldn’t breathe through his nose, even after antibiotic injections, and that he woke up shaking. Perhaps he could have been given more months of life; if I had only known before I had him put to sleep that he had no teeth, and that the lives of our parrot and two felines were not in danger when Francisco wasn’t guarding them. I’ll never know. Many tears have been shed. Francisco and I have been through a hard time after I made the decision to end a life, a decision that was unalterable, one of no options according to my ideas of kindness. Today we bring Bart’s mattress down from the attic where it has been airing. We will return it to the caring man, who will see to it that another dog in need will have a soft place to sleep. Janice Kimball
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Such a glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes, Dear little friend of mine, I never knew. All-innocent you are, and yet all-wise. (For heaven’s sake, stop worrying that shoe!) You look about, and all you see is fair; This mighty globe was made for you alone. Of all the thunderous ages, you’re the heir. (Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!) A skeptic world you face with steady gaze; High in young pride you hold your noble head; Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days. (Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?) Lance-like your courage, gleaming swift and strong, Yours the white rapture of a wingéd soul, Yours is a spirit like a May-day song. (God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!) “Whatever is, is good,” your gracious creed. You wear your joy of living like a crown. Love lights your simplest act, your every deed. (Drop it, I tell you---put that kitten down!) You are God’s kindliest gift of all,—a friend. Your shining loyalty un-flecked by doubt, You ask but leave to follow to the end. (Couldn’t you wait until I took you out?) —(The Incomparable) Dorothy Parker— (Ed. Note: Ordinarily the Ojo does not publish material that is not written specifically for our magazine but given that Lakeside is filled with dog-lovers, we thought we’d make an exception in this case. Besides, Dorothy Parker is just too delicious for our taste buds to pass up.)
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In Sight—The Best Light Not uncommon for me to walk Brattle Street, down Tory Row, avoiding, habitually, stumbling on the cracked blue stone which ancient roots in defiance lift to peril those who pass Longfellow’s House unaware of where they tread. Some mornings I make a trip into the Square to post a letter - the best time to avoid a line: the academics all sleep in past ten. Some afternoons I go to buy a book or meet a friend. I walk back home, toward the west. The sun is often in my eyes. I watch my feet, avoid a fall. For twenty years, a thousand times or so, I’ve walked this way, but yesterday, heading east, late in the day, I paused - the light, not in my eyes, is brilliant, angled low, I sense her rays have transfixed time, The houses, trees, historic walls in finest hues and contrasts shown, each crafted nook and sophphic. Seeing thus, illumined as in a book, a deeper purpose inscribed here, I ponder what may be found within those learned rooms and halls, or, from where I stand, if only you or I from the habit of our day and from sunset look the other way, will find illumed in that slanting light a spectral richness of insight. Steve Hluchan Steve@Hluchan.com Cambridge, MA 617 953-9046
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COLUMNIST
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Afraid of Mexico?
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’ve been so upset about the disconnect between the perception of Mexico in the United States and the reality of life in Mexico. When we first decided to move to Mexico, our family and friends were very concerned. First they thought we had lost our minds. Then they were worried about our safety. That was many years ago. I thought that the exaggerated news coverage would die off. It did not. I wrote an article comparing the violent crime rate in my former hometown to Jalisco, Mexico. Even with a much smaller population, the crime rate was greater than the entire state of Jalisco, Mexico. And still people are concerned. As recently as today, as I write this column, I am again disappointed in finding that people in the United States cannot get past the fear-mongering of news reports. As a volunteer for a non-profit event, one of our featured participants cancelled citing the violence in Mexico. Apparently a recent article published in the New York Times about the crime situation in Mexico and then the State Department issued a warning, asking all American citizens to limit any non-essential travel Mexico including the State of Jalisco. This was the basis for the decision not to come to Mexico. I read the article, which led with high levels of violence Ciudad Juárez, and discusses real problems in Mexico, 17,063 homicide cases in Mexico (source not quoted) It didn’t bother to state that the USA homicide rate for 2015 (the latest accurate figures are available according to the FBI) as 15,696. And the State department did not identify the small portion of Jalisco, which is far from the Lakeside/Guadalajara area that experiences problems from time to time. Once I asked the US Consulate representative why the State Department warnings are always
so dire. The answer was what you might think. Most of the time, it is to cover their backsides in case something does happen, so that they could not be held liable. I can tell anyone who will listen that I feel safer in Mexico in my neighborhood than I ever did living in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. And I wasn’t too concerned about crime there, but I never walked at night, and there were places I just wouldn’t travel to. I use the same common sense here in Mexico. I feel badly that our speaker will not be coming. I wanted to share the bounties of life here at Lakeside; our beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the lake, the mountains, the gardens, but mostly, I wanted to share the magnificent hospitality of the Mexican people, the rich culture, the beautiful artwork, and the extremely talented and inspirational people who live here. But I am sure that the same can be said of certain other places in the United States itself. Some have indicated no desire to visit Chicago, Washington D.C., or New York City. Even though that means not seeing the Museum of Science and Industry, the Smithsonian, or Broadway plays, eating in fine restaurants, and experiencing the positive things that these places have to offer. By allowing the fear of the negative publicity of an area, or a group of people, we deny ourselves the experiences of travel, discovery and growth. We close ourselves off to learning experiences. My advice to everyone is to live life as if each day were the last. Take risks, be adventurous, visit Mexico and see all that it has to offer. Talk to people who live here, and don’t believe everything you read in main stream media. Mexico is beautiful! Victoria Schmidt
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The Immortal Memory Of Robert Burns %\ -DPHV 0DF/DXJKOLQ
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am a Burnsian. By that I mean I am an admirer of, and advocate for, the works of Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard. I received most of my schooling in the lovely market town of Dumfries in the south of Scotland where Burns spent the last few years of his life and where he is buried, so I have that special connection, as well as others in more recent times. I have been a member and past president of the Calgary Burns Club (one of the world’s most active) for twenty-five years and serve as the club’s Bard. A number of papers on various aspects of the poet’s life and works written by myself and other club members are available to the general public on our website (calgaryburnsclub. com), including a short biography of his life which is more easily digestible than most of the weighty tomes on that subject published over the course of the last two-hundred-plus years.
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This is Thi i the h season to celebrate l b the h life and works of this great man, and on or about the 25th of January each year (the date of his birth in 1759) thousands of Burns Suppers are held around the world, including one here at Lakeside. I am told it is very good, although unfortunately I have never been able to attend because of my participation in events in Calgary each year.
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So what is all the fuss about? I have not heard of any Shakespeare Suppers, nor any held to celebrate John Milton, or Dante, or any of the other great literary figures of the past. What has brought about this virtually unique annual celebration of a man and his works, who had been dead for just over 230 years? The great Scottish diaspora has helped to make the phenomenon so international, but I would suggest that it is the genius reflected in the poems and songs themselves, as well as their power to inspire and entertain, that explains why Robert Burns continues to be held in such high esteem. His appeal has grown more and more over time, characterized by his supporters as ‘The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns’. In the short space to which I must confine my comments, it is not possible to discuss all of the more important aspects of Burns’ eventful life, nor to explore and debunk all of the myths that were peddled by some of his early biographers and others, mud that has tended to stick ever since, including in particular that he was a dissolute drunk. This is the first of just two of the most egregious calumnies that I would like briefly to refute here. Aside from the lack of any credible evidence that he displayed a fondness for drink beyond the norm, how could anyone produce the enormous volume of poetry and songs that he did during his short life (dying at just 37 years of age from a congenital heart condition) together with a quite astonishing output of correspondence extant, along with much more that has been lost? And this impressive productivity was achieved while struggling to succeed as a tenant farmer, laboring under conditions that would severely test the physical stamina of most strong men, then later while being employed as an excise officer who was required to put in punishingly long days traipsing over a large, mainly rural territory, on horseback, including through Scotland’s often dreadful winters. And then there is the ‘wink-wink, nod-nod’ reputation he has always had as a philandering lady’s man who carelessly spread his manly seed wherever he ventured. Yes, he did like the ladies, and he fathered four children to women other than his wife, Jean Armour; not counting two sets of twins with Jean prior to their nuptials (although they had previously entered into a consensual, legally binding marriage not uncommon in Scotland at the time) there were four other unintended pregnancies of which we can be reasonably certain. However, to his credit, unlike so many putative fathers (then as now) he always readily acknowledged his pa-
ternity and immediately took responsibility for the care of the infants. Two of these out-of-wedlock children were raised by Robert and his wonderfully understanding and indulgent wife. In the third case the mother unaccountably refused his offers of help, and in the fourth it appears that the mother kept her pregnancy and the birth a secret from the poet. In other aspects of his life, Burns generally conducted himself with dignity and decorum and enjoyed a reputation among his peers as a man of honor and compassion. He had his share of conflicts with others, but was held in high esteem by most of his contemporaries. In most respects we might safely declare him to have been a good and decent man. Turning to his legacy of poetry and song, Robert Burns has few equals in English literature, or so we Burnsians earnestly believe! A goodly number of his pieces are at least partly familiar to the ordinary person, although many may not be aware of his authorship. Auld Lang Syne, for example, is a universal favorite, but how many know that it was composed by Robert Burns? Then there is A Red, Red Rose, and Flow Gently Sweet Afton and many others. And who does not have at least a passing acquaintance with the plight of that poor unfortunate ‘Wee sleekit, cow’rin’, tim’rous beastie,’ described so empathetically in the opening line of To a Mouse, followed by the memorable axiom that: ‘The best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley’ (go often astray), reputedly the inspiration for the title of John Steinbeck’s wellknown classic, Of Mice and Men. Some of Burns’ best works are not as well known to the general public as they so richly deserve to be, which is a pity. Tam O’ Shanter is arguably the finest ballad in the English language, Ae (one) Fond Kiss the most beautiful and sublime love song in any language, Holy Willie’s Prayer the cleverest work of satire ever composed, and A Man’s a Man For A’ That the most profound indictment of class-based inequality. Undoubtedly Burns’ use of the Scottish vernacular makes many of his best poems a little too obscure in meaning for the non-Scot (even to many native Scots), and that cannot be denied. But just a little study on the part of the reader will unlock so many amazing treasures. And so, on January 25th, please spare a moment to join with myself and millions of others around the globe in raising a glass to ‘The Immortal Memory of James Robert Burns.’ MacLaughlin
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hat once passed for vigor, I fear has turned into a case of fine acting. If I walk with energy, it is a forced energy expressed in spurts in situations where once I ran. I hope this can be attributed to the dignity of my age; but when I see others my age outpacing me, the jig is up and I am revealed for what I am—someone who, in spite of what I have always believed would happen, is wearing out and falling into that part of the life cycle that includes wrinkling up and slowing down. Ugh. I hate to admit it, but perhaps if I do it will be a type of therapy and in confronting it, it will go away—or at least it will lessen in its effect.
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The truth is that I fear acting old more than I fear looking old. I hate it that I struggle to get up from a kneeling position and that I can in no way do it gracefully. I put both hands against the floor in front of me, raise my butt in the air and walk up to my hands—only way it seems possible without a lot of grunting and straining. In animal behavior, I would probably appear sexy as I do so, but I do not delude myself that any human being would find it so. An additional truth to face now that I am 69 is that I am turning into my mother. Having to do more than one thing at once befuddles me and sometimes even one thing at a time is a bit confusing. Numbers don’t be-
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have as they once did. I add and subtract and multiply and divide just fine. I grew up in a time before computers and handheld devices, so I’m used to doing functions mentally that youth finds better relegated to machines. The problem is in the interrelation of functions––just how to convert dimensions expressed in meters and tenths of meters to inches, to enable me to equate it to the past when all dimensions were expressed as such. Why describe in tenths of feet which are traditionally divided into twelve parts, not ten? Why not just convert to a decimal system entirely, which I could then translate easily to inches and then to feet and inches? The world is no longer my oyster. Devices get smaller and smaller as my eyes get worse and worse. I can’t wait for all of today’s young programmers and systems designers to get to be 60 and to try to make use of the apps they’ve designed primarily for phones so tiny that you can barely find the phone, let alone make out pages as small as playing cards. And don’t even get me started on the designers of medicine labels! If it isn’t bad enough that they are in size 2 font, they then make them white on yellow or gray on blue so it is impossible to read them no matter what size they are. What are
they thinking? The clincher was my optometrist’s card that was primarily empty space with the writing squeezed into one corner, so small that I doubt it could be read by anyone–glasses or no glasses, and remember, people come to optometrists primarily because they can’t see in the first place! In addition, it was one of those cards impossible to look at because the two colors used not only made it difficult to read, but tended to affect one’s astigmatism, or at the very least one’s sense of good taste. I must admit that I have never been an athletic person. Zumba, yoga and pool aerobics have been my most successful and enduring modes of exercise. But what I have done, I have always done with great vigor. I work hard, in the past did all my own housework and gardening and have been a bit of a workaholic. But very recently, I find myself wearing out faster, sneaking off to a hidden corner to huff and puff a bit or lie down for a ten-minute rest. I find myself getting a bit testier and less patient when things go wrong, but blessedly usually express my frustration (aloud) primarily to myself. It occurred to me earlier this year, however, that passing neighbors can probably hear me when I shout “Idiot” to myself—or worse. Or, when I yell at the dogs to stop barking or stop jumping up. “Judy, you’re worse than the dogs!” a friend sputtered, shaking his head one day as I roared “Frida, Diego, Morrie–stop!!!” as they executed a deafening chorus of deep barks when I arrived home and opened the garage door. So I guess that is one place where my energy remains unabated. When it comes to expressing myself, I have great vocal cords. You could even say I’m still capable of a vigorJudy Dykstra ous rejoinder!!! Brown
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IS REVENGE EVER JUSTIFIED? WƌĞǀŝĞǁ ŽĨ >ĂŬĞƐŝĚĞ >ŝƩůĞ dŚĞĂƚĞƌ͛Ɛ EĞdžƚ WůĂLJ %\ .HOO\ +D\HV 5DLWW
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hen Argentine-Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman penned Death and the Maiden nearly 30 years ago, little did he dream that the play would today still be a timely reflection on revenge, reconciliation and restoration. Set in an unnamed country, but reminiscent of Augusto Pinochet’s violent overthrowing of Chile’s socialist leader Salvador Allende, for whom Dorfman served as cultural advisor during the early 1970s, the play opens with a reclusive Paulina recognizing the voice of a good Samaritan who had rescued her stranded husband and driven him home: The stranger is the man, she is convinced, who tortured and repeatedly raped her while she was detained – blindfolded – in a
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military barracks under the brutal regime. Despite democracy’s restoration and her husband’s appointment to investigate the regime’s slaughter of thousands of dissidents, Paulina seeks personal revenge on her torturer in an act that introduces several of the play’s intricate moral conflicts. “So many societies back then
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[1991] were torn by the question of what you do with the trauma of the past, how to live side by side with your enemies, how to judge those who had abused power without destroying the fabric of a reconciliation necessary to move forward,” Dorfman wrote in The Guardian in 2011 during his play’s revival in London’s West End. At what point does a new, fragile democracy put its past behind in order to move forward? How vital is it that individual grievances be heard? “We’ll die from too much truth,” Paulina’s husband laments, even though his new job requires him to uncover the truths buried beside the bodies. Conversely, what is the cost of silence? Following a traumatic period like the society depicted in this play, should the Paulinas and their pasts be given carte blanche to dominate the conversation? To drag their society back through the trauma in order to dredge up the horrors? Or should the investigators be allowed to bandaid the past in order to put as much distance between the horrors and the future? And what about personal vengeance? Can it be justified when the vestiges of deep wounds linger? “If the victims of police-state crimes take the law into their own hands, do they sink to the level of their former oppressors and endanger their nation’s new prospects for democracy?” asked Frank Rich in his New York Times review of the play’s Broadway premiere in 1992. “Yet if they fail to take that revenge, do they invite the historical amnesia that might allow fascism to take root again someday?” What if the torturer is following orders to avoid being tortured and repents? Or are some acts beyond forgiveness? “I wrote the play in Santiago,” Dorfman wrote in his Guardian op-ed. “Returning to my country after 17 years in exile, I saw this work as my gift to its turbulent transition. The dictator was no longer in power, but his influence, his disciples, his corrupting shadow invaded every aspect of political life.” When I visited Santiago in November 1988, Pinochet was still in power. He had, just seven weeks before my arrival, lost a plebiscite ending his 16year reign, but it was unclear whether he’d honor the outcome in which 98% of those eligible voted. I was struck by the ubiquitous political graffiti I saw: It was a simple Sí or No on the question of whether Pinochet should retain power. I counted as many Sís as Nos. Death and the Maiden will be performed at Lakeside Little Theatre January 13–22, starring Jacinta Stringer, Jim Ryan and Paul Kloegman. To further explore the play’s pro-
vocative questions, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a “talk-back” discussion I’ll facilitate following the matinee performance on Saturday, January 14, with a panel of experts. The panel includes Carolyn Cothran, Barbara Hildt and play director LB Hamilton. Cothran earned an MA degree in Alternative Conflict Resolution from Southern Methodist University, where she focused on studying Restorative Justice. Hildt, after serving five terms in the Massachusetts legislature, spent 15 years creating violence prevention programs with youth. Hamilton, who has personally wrestled with some of Death in the Maiden’s searing questions, holds an MFA and degrees in Behavioral Science/Psychology and Theatre Arts. She’s worked with non-profit organizations, theater companies and universities to develop and facilitate workshops and curricula that combine social/emotional learning with creative arts to deal with bullying, surviving abuse, conflict resolution, social justice and peace studies. “[Death and the Maiden] is a mousetrap designed to catch the conscience of an international audience at a historic moment when many more nations than Chile are moving from totalitarian terror to fragile freedom,” Rich wrote 25 years ago in his NYT review, following demonstrations for democracy around the world from Poland’s shipyards to Mongolia’s Sukhbaatar Square. “What makes Death and the Maiden ingenious is [Dorfman’s] ability to raise such complex issues within a thriller that is full of action and nearly devoid of preaching.” Since the 1991 premiere of Death and the Maiden, the world has seen Rwanda’s genocide, ethnic cleansings in the Balkans, and sectarian wars in Syria and Iraq. While Dorfman’s play – and the questions it raises – remain relevant a generation after it was written, the real question we should be asking is: “For the next generation, how do we make these questions irrelevant?” For more information visit www. lakesidelittletheatre.com or call 376766-0954. (Kelly Hayes-Raitt has facilitated and participated in several audience discussions following plays that explore the impacts of war on Iraqis and she was the Los Angeles moderator for then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s national town hall meeting “What Every Woman Needs to Know About Social Security.”) Kelly RaittHayes
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UVA — Celebrating 40 years of Helping Students %\ 6XH 7RUUHV
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ow do you measure success? The University Vocational Assistance program AKA UVA has been measuring it “one student at a time” for the past 40 years. The concept of assisting bright but financially challenged Lakeside students began as a quiet act of kindness by members of the Little Chapel by the Lake community in 1976. As is reported by Beth Nelson in the church history it all began when two young daughters of a local indigenous minister needed assistance to attend nursing school. There are many stories of success but one that stands out for us is this. Forty years after the program be-
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gan another nursing student lead the way for others to follow. Maria Josefina Contreras Mendosa was a struggling single mom trying to raise two young sons and complete nursing school when she came into the UVA program. Fast forwarding several years: she now is the owner of Mi Casita nursing facility in San Antonio Tlay and is an example of what can happen with support and confidence from others. She now gives back by speaking out to current students, hiring people and thus assisting the community, and by providing a safe and caring situation for those who need it. As time passed the program be-
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came more secular, and in the early 2000’s the official move was made to rename it to better reflect the current activities. Thus the UVA Scholarship Fund A.C. was born. The aims, goals and general rules remain as they have been since the beginning. Building on years of success UVA continues to quietly support, counsel, monitor and provide assistance to university students from Jocotepec to Mezcala. As has been the rule since the beginning UVA does not have fund raisers, and sponsors are assured that 100% of money they donate for students goes to students. How has this quiet program been successful for so many years? UVA’s steps for success include a level of involvement and concern for the student and his/her family that transcends the simple financial support. First of all the application process is very extensive. After acceptance of the application, the interview and vetting proceeds with two UVA board members visiting in the home and establishing that the information provided is correct and that there is family support. Once accepted into the program the student becomes part of the UVA family and remains so forever. Monitoring becomes a part of their university experience.
At the close of each semester the student meets with UVA representatives to review their grades. A grade point average of 8.5 or better is required each semester to continue to receive support. The program is open to full-time students attending an approved university or technical school. There are no limitations on age or family status. Factors that contribute to the success of UVA are: CONSISTENCY. UVA is very careful that program rules are applied consistently and all students are treated equally without exception. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS. A cornerstone of the program is the commitment that 100% of funds donated for students go to students. TRANSPARENCY. A donor is kept aware of how their donations are distributed and they may be involved as much or as little as they choose. The above mentioned steps have resulted in an impressive donor loyalty over the many years. One recent change in the program has been professional licensing assistance. This “title” is what really legitimizes the student as a professional in his/her chosen career. The UVA commitment is a simple but clear one — provide support for bright but financially challenged Lakeside students throughout their schooling and through licensing. In return they agree to maintain a grade point average of 8.5 or better each semester, remain in a full-time program in the approved school and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on the program and the community. Anyone interested in being involved in UVA and its work may contact Sue Torres (376-766-2932 mst0414@yahoo.com) or Cristina Baron (376 766-3574 cubacris5@ hotmail.com). Assistance at any level is welcomed as are contributions of any amount.
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CHARLEY AND SANDY: A Dog Story %\ 5REHUW -DPHV 7D\ORU
“Dogs have a way of finding people who need them.”
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t was Springtime—our third year living in San Juan Cosala. One day Anita called us: she had a dog, a Golden retriever that was left overnight, tied to her gate: another abandoned creature she would save. She had rescued another Golden a year earlier that we took, and the suggestion was that this could be a good companion. His collar had a metal tag with the word “Sandy” engraved, so we called him that. We had him cleaned up, vet examination and took him home with joyful anticipation. But soon Sandy became a real challenge. He was not interested in his new sister, barked incessantly, and worst of all, was a car chaser. I’ve had many dogs in my time, and have overcome behavioral problems but Sandy had his demons. One day, Grace called. She was smart about dogs, and suggested maybe a different environment. She had a friend across the lake, recently widowed, who had dogs before: he would likely give Sandy a try. And so we met Charley, who lived in a quiet, rustic community east of San Luis Soyatlan, far away from roads and traffic, and by the lake. He met us with a welcoming smile at his picturesque orchard of orange and mango trees a stone’s throw from the lake’s edge. He caressed Sandy as he spoke to him and I felt a warm glow that this could be a better place for Sandy. Always difficult to give up a dog but emotions had to be put aside. After a month Charley phoned. All was well: Sandy had calmed down and enjoyed long walks and swam in the lake in that peaceful place. Three months later Charley asked if I would like to visit, which was bitter-sweet, but I felt Sandy had little memory of us now, thus avoiding confusion for him. We visited on a Sunday. Charley’s sister, Blanche, welcomed us. She had moved down to look after Charley after his wife died. And there was
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Sandy, sitting by Charley under the blossoming trees, happy as punch. They had bonded. Sandy now took walks on his own, barked at the occasional cow, and always returned at noon. Over the next three years, I visited occasionally: Charley himself found happiness again, and Sandy was devoted to him. The fidelity of a dog is boundless. One day Blanche called. Charley had died, suddenly. She would take care of Sandy for the meantime; perhaps later a neighbour would take Sandy. Several weeks later, I was in the vicinity of Charley’s home and instinct compelled me to visit Blanche. She was in the garden as I approached, and we sat down on Charley’s wooden bench. She cut right to it: “After Charley died, the dog he loved changed. He never left Charley’s room and would sit in a corner all day. He lost his spirit.” And then, Blanche spoke words that broke my heart: “Sandy ran away on the day we cast Charley’s ashes in the lake. We found him on the main road four miles away- he had never been there before. Jorge, our gardener, buried him over there where he and Charley used to sit.” I lingered there, sitting by the water’s edge. Three years together, and what they sought: hope, friendship, peace, even love, they both found in each other. And then a voice called me. It was Jorge. “Senor, come, please walk with me. I have something to show you.” Minutes later, we entered Charley’s nearest neighbour’s house and Sybil, who lived there, called out, “Come, boy.” A dog, with a sandy-coloured coat, came running in. “This is one of Sandy’s pups – he most resembles him. I would love you to take him, if you like. I already have the mother.” And so I did. And this is where this story ends. We called him Sandy, and he has brought more happiness to this house where he and his sister, Tess, play all day.
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COLUMNIST
PROFILING TEPEHUA %\ 0RRQ\HHQ .LQJ 3UHVLGHQW RI WKH %RDUG IRU 7HSHKXD
PRRQLH #\DKRR FRP Operation Smile
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his column has covered stories of Operation Smile before, most readers are aware what they do. They transform lives. They turn a tragedy of birth into a step for the future. ‘Instituto Jalisciense de Cirugia Reconstructiva’’ (IJCR), Guadalajara, is a teaching hospital specializing in plastic surgery. Primarily Cleft Palette, or what is commonly called “hair lip”. ‘Operation Smile Mexico’ (OSM), its Director Benjamin Mijangos Borja, made a deal with the hospital to provide children and young adults up to the age of 18 years, free surgery every Monday morning...which allows 4 to 6 operations each Monday, depending on the complexities involved. ‘Operation Smile’ pays the hospital 5,000 pesos each Monday to cover the cost of consumables, like anesthetic, suture kits, bandages, disposable scrubs etc. The use of the facilities is free, and the staff are all volunteers. Doctors travel from all over the world to volunteer their time and talent to this humanitarian act, so stated one of the founders, Ruben Pettersson. This writer has seen them at work; it is nothing short of a miracle the change that comes to a child’s face...it is instant. The delicate reconstructive work on tiny little faces would move the hardest heart. The children stay in the care of Operation Smile until they are 18. Think
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about it. 5,000 pesos per day, that is approximately 833 pesos per child, and at today’s rate around 42 dollars to change the life of a child. We do not see too many children on the street with this terrible affliction, because they are generally hidden, and when they are school age they suffer such humiliation from other children, many of them do not go to school. No person should have to go through that type of living hell. To be accepted by OSM, some families travel for days on the bus, and on the interview days the hospital’s waiting area is full to capacity with children hoping to be accepted. The physical test they go through is rigorous, as the health of the child before operations like this, has to be good... no infections of any kind, some are turned away and given medications they require to bring their health up to standard for another day. A heart breaking decision the Doctors have to make. Who will stay for a miracle, and who must wait. Tepehua’s baby Karla was one of the lucky ones, but Karla hasn’t continued with the next step yet, which is closing the hole in the palette, because of bronchial infections. Hopefully 2017 will be better for her. Find it in your heart to reach out in 2017, a fifty dollar donation will change the life of a child, give the gift of a smile. Please call Operation Smile at 01 (33) 31-22-88-64. Maria Perez Vivanco, or Benjamin Mijangos Borja....or simply contact Moonie at moonie1935@yahoo.com or 376763-5126. You are also welcome to visit IJCR to see the work they do, and you will feel such emotions you never knew you had. May 2017 bring peace to the world.
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“THE CORRUPTION OF THE PEN” %\ )UHG 0LWWDJ
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he pen is mightier than the sword” is an adage that gives journalism high responsibility. The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes this in the preamble to their code of ethics: “Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. . . .” The Society lists four principles, each of which is followed by expository information: (1) Seek Truth and Report It, (2) Minimize Harm, [e.g., withholding names of juveniles], (3) Act Independently, (4) Be Accountable and Transparent. These are worthy standards now tossed to history by mainstream journalism. One reason is the rise of huge corporations that subjugate journalism into a source of profit, rather than a ser-
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H.L. Mencken vice to the public – something against which Edward R. Murrow warned. In his day, the news was presented by the networks at a loss as a public service in return for the use of the public airwaves. They compensated for this loss with the profits they made from the entertainment part of their broadcasting. But now news departments downsize reporters and staff to increase profits. A major blow to journalistic stan-
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
dards came under President Reagan when special interests persuaded the Federal Communications Commission to drop the Fairness Doctrine. This relieved Fox News and people like Rush Limbaugh from any requirement to report accurate information or to present balanced perspectives. The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine opened the way for broadcasters to reject all four principles of journalistic ethics. As a result, Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, et al., pander to emotion rather than appeal to intellect, with results that damage the quality of American civilization. Rush Limbaugh violated two of the principles of journalism when he called an outstanding young woman named Sandra Flukea “slut” and a “prostitute.” It was (1) untrue and (2) it did harm by smearing her. The appeal to emotion has created an angry class of Americans who yell “Hail Trump!” – with a Nazi salute. Journalists like H.L. Mencken, while striving for objectivity, did not back away from the first journalistic principle to report the truth. Mencken was the one who labeled the 1925 Scopes Trial the “Monkey Trial.” Edward R. Murrow exposed Senator Joe McCarthy’s nefarious witch-hunt for what it was. Walter Cronkite analyzed the Vietnam War for its failure in a famous broadcast that led President Johnson to say, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost America.” As a measure of fallen standards, a spineless Chuck Todd said it was not his job to challenge Republicans on their endless lies about the approaching passage of Obamacare. He said that was President Obama’s job. Chuck Todd is symptomatic of a creeping promotion of false equivalency by professional journalism. On the very face of it, false equivalency is just as illogical as saying four equals seven. Four does not equal seven – never has and never will. In contrast to Todd, Candy Crowley dared to fact-check Mitt Romney as moderator in a debate with Obama and lost her job for daring to reject false equivalency. Yet, one writer for El Ojo del Lago, in reference to the election, wrote, “I am particularly concerned with the lack of comity on both sides.” Without elucidation, this suggests that Hillary and Trump were equally lacking in comity and that four indeed equals seven. Empirical evidence shows the two campaigns were not equivalent in any sense. The 2016 campaign exposed the myth of media “objectivity.” Trump said outrageous things that the media reported as news, because of their entertainment and ratings value. This was hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free advertising for Trump, advertis-
ing for which other candidates had to pay from their campaign treasuries. Trump manipulated the media into constant coverage of Clinton’s e-mails. Any FBI investigation of a candidate is newsworthy, but in this case, the FBI found nothing that could result in charges against Clinton. Trump made “Lock her up!” a standard chant at his rallies. By contrast, there was an ever-expanding list of allegations of Trump’s sexual predations. The media gave more attention to Clinton’s e-mail investigation than to Trump’s sexual behavior, and failed to differentiate between the two scandals as a relative determination of qualification to be president. Whom did the e-mails harm? Whom did the sexual predation harm? CNN’s Matthew Dowd said, “Either you care both about Trump being a sexual predator and the Clinton emails, or you care about neither. But don’t talk about one without the other.” Dowd defended his ludicrous logic by making it even worse: “The response to what I said is what is wrong with the country. Partisans of each side are unwilling to look at the faults of their own candidate.” In other words, no charges against Hillary equals allegations from more than seven women of unacceptable sexual behavior by Trump. To make the contrast even greater, Trump is on tape bragging about his sexual predation, “grabbing their ------” and forcibly kissing them: “When you’re famous, they let you do it. You can do anything.” Clinton’s lavishly paid speeches to Goldman Sachs, however disturbing, were not illegal, but Trump is paying $25 million in a settlement over the fraud he committed with his Trump University scam. One cannot find on the Democratic side of the campaign any language remotely resembling that of the Republicans, even getting down to hand size as an indicator of the size of other parts of the anatomy. There is no equivalency in the lying, either. The New York Times wrote, “Donald Trump’s record of truth and accuracy is astonishingly poor. Fully threequarters of his statements are mostly false or even ridiculous.” Profit was the reason for the decline in journalistic standards. It led to the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine by the FCC and the conversion of news into entertainment by slander, innuendo, and emotion. (Ed. Note: Fred Mittag is a retired public school teacher who is interested in history, politics, and economics.) Fred Mittag
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1?F %E<N %\ 0DUJDUHW 9DQ (YHU\
J
eanette annually spent a couple of weeks with each of her three granddaughters who lived in different cities across the US. Her youngest and dearest grandchild Danica had recently started middle school in upstate New York and Jeanette was visiting the family during the leaf season. Danica insisted that her grandmother come to her new school and sit in on her English class. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Jackson is unlike the other teachers,â&#x20AC;? coaxed Danica. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He makes us think about things we never paid attention to before. The students absolutely adore him and I promise youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy the class.â&#x20AC;? And so one morning Jeanette climbed the front steps at the appointed time, met Danica at the desk in the lobby, and off they went through the maze of corridors lined with lockers
to the room where the magic would ensue. Danica introduced her grandmother with pride to Mr. Jackson and the class, and Jeanette was given a seat to the side and up front where she could witness the much touted teacher in action as well as observe the students. She noticed that enthusiastic girls like her Danica had claimed the front two rows, their pens and notebooks poised before the class began. Mr. Jackson looked to be near 40. He was good looking and cultivated a devil-may-care dishevelment. The school didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to object that his unkempt hair was shoulder length or
that he wore shabby red sneakers and holey jeans. He gestured franticly as he paced before the class and ranted about Holden Caulfield, the classic disaffected brainchild of JD Salinger. Mr. Jackson seemed bent on stirring up this gathering of well bred and as yet unawakened young adults. Out of his mouth flew words their parents had forbidden plus a slew of words theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never heard before that caused their ears to tingle. Mr. Jackson made rebellion sound like the great adventure they had been missing, all because they were trying to be obedient boys and girls and make their parents proud. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no better than a herd of docile sheep!â&#x20AC;? he sneered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown up in straightjackets and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know it!â&#x20AC;? Before them lay an exciting world of expletives, sex, experimentation, and discoveryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;theirs in exchange for breaking free of the stifling safety of their bourgeois predictable existence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This class is more about life than about books,â&#x20AC;? he yelled, shaking his fist in the air and contemptuously staring them down. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Literature is a means for learning how to live through plots and characters.â&#x20AC;? Jeanette studied the histrionics of Mr. Jackson and the reactions of the girls in the front two rows. He was the purveyor of excitement in daring the class to accept risks in finding their true identity. The girls were buying it. The wilder he gesticulated, the more sold they appeared to be. After the class, Jeanette thanked and hugged Danica and said theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d see each other at home after school. Jeanette started walking back to the house, kicking up leaves as she mulled over what she had just heard. She had been about the same age as Danica when she had first read Catcher in the Rye in the 1950s, but her so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;silent generationâ&#x20AC;? had gotten a totally different message from it. Holden Caulfield was an alienated teenage misfit who was writing his memoirs from a mental asylum. He was a failure at his board-
ing school from which he had been expelled. In the story, he is running away from the school and his home, afraid to tell his parents the truth, miserable to the point he considers ending his life. Where was the heroism in that? Jeanette was deeply disturbed by the classroom drama she had witnessed. The most threatening thing, she thought, was the manipulative power of Mr. Jackson. He could say just about anything and get away with it, so gullible was his captive audience. From her vantage point, she could feel the ratcheting visceral dynamic between teacher and students. He got high stirring them up, and the more they grinned and nodded and squirmed, the more worked up he got, the adrenaline spiraling on both sides. It would have been different had Jackson invited the students to analyze and discuss Caulfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behavior and its outcomes, but no, he used insults to jar them out of their complacency. He called them cowards and sheep and threatened them with an unbearable humdrum rut of a life unless they broke away from everything they knew. In addition, Jeanette had a nagging intuition there was something else bubbling under the surface. She wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure how she sensed this and whether it was fair to trust an intuition. What exactly is an intuition anyway? Some hunch based on subliminal clues, fed mostly by fear? She had to admit she feared for her impressionable, precocious Danica, the archetypal innocent, ravenous to taste all the apples on the tree of life. Walking briskly in the cold autumn air precipitated clarity. No, Jeanette would not mention her suspicion to Danicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, nor to the school authorities. She would not damage her relationship with Danica by telling her her own old-fashioned interpretation of Holden Caulfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s miserable angstfilled misadventure. Instead, she stopped at a phone booth that caught her eye and made an appointment
MID-MONTH BONUS! Alejandro Grattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rather gothic tale is called Languishing in Lalalandâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the latter word a noun which is code for either Hollywood, or its attendant state of mind in which reality occasionally visits but never stays for long. The article can be found at http://chapala.com/elojo/index.php/midmonth-articles (DFK PLG PRQWK ZH Rá&#x201A;&#x2021;HU superb articles that while a bit too long for our print version are perfect for our digital format. Check it out!
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with Pinkerton’s Detective Agency. Next day, on the alibi she was out shopping, she went to their office and told them she wanted a thorough background check on Mr. Jackson. She stipulated that though she had instigated the investigation and was paying for it, she must not have her name associated with it in any form whatsoever. Instead, she ordered that copies of the report be sent to the Superintendent of Schools, the Chairman of the School Board, and the principal of the middle school. After another week in this lovely part of the world, Jeanette returned home. Not long after, she received a call from her daughter. “Mom, you’ll never guess what’s happened here. It’s all over the news. Danica’s favorite teacher, Mr. Jackson, remember him? You sat in on his class? Well, seems he’s turned out to have been a sex offender and has actually had a history right here at Danica’s school. Danica is heartbroken, insists it must be a mistake, but Mr. Jackson is no longer teaching here.” After a few moments of silence, Jeanette said, “Well, that must be quite a shock for the community. I’m sorry our Danica is so disappointed . . . I wonder where Mr. Jackson will turn up next?”
(Ed. Note: Margaret Van Every is a writer of fiction and poetry, perhaps best known locally for her bilingual collection of five-line poems A Pillow Stuffed with Diamonds/ Una almohada rellena con diamantes (2011). Other books of poetry include Saying Her Name (2012) and holding hands with a stranger (2014). All are available at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones and from amazon.com.) Margaret Van Every
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%\ %RE 6WUDQG
L
ee Coleman was one of the most interesting men I ever worked with on the ranch on which I was raised. And this story about him is probably the saddest story I will ever tell you. Because of the large amount of work to be done during the summers, it wasn´t unusual for the outfit to hire a number of extra men for just short period of time. Lee was one of those men. And so he came to the ranch each summer—to help put up the hay that we needed for winter feed—and then left again in the fall. He was too old by then to get on a horse, and so my acquaintance with him came in the hay
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fields after spring roundup. I never knew where he went each year, but I was always glad to see him in the spring. Lee was different from all of the other men with whom I had worked. And he had seen and done things that seemed to excite my youthful imagination. I would hear him tell about his experiences as a young soldier on leave in Paris. Or about his early life as an oil field engineer working in the fields at Brownsville, Texas. And even about his wife and daughters, all with whom he had long since lost contact. For a young man being raised in the wilderness of Wyoming, Lee was a welcome window to a world I had
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
never seen. I couldn´t imagine how one man could crowd so many experiences into one lifetime and then end up working summers in the hay fields of a Wyoming ranch. And Lee was well educated it seemed to me. At night, in the bunkhouse, or when we worked together in the fields, he would often take the opportunity to quiz me about what I was learning in school. We would talk about chemistry and mathematics, and he would sometimes recite poems to me that he had learned in school. He taught me the meaning of words I had never heard before, like “cosmopolitan” and “vicissitude”. He was one of the few ranch hands that made me believe that there was much more to life that I could possibly imagine. But still. I wondered why he was here in this place working the way he did. It wasn’t long before I realized that it was liquor that stood between Lee and the world he had left behind. If he was sent to town for groceries or other supplies, he would invariably get very drunk. And then his drinking would lead to depression. And his depression would incapacitate him for several days or more. He had chosen to work on ranches far from town to separate himself
from that face of his life with which he could not deal. And, as it turned out, neither could anyone else in the worlds he had left behind; not his employers or his wife or his children. But when he was at the ranch and when he was sober, Lee was a hard worker and an inspiration to me. Out of this short, pot-bellied and balding little man came several challenges to me—work smarter, not harder, find out more about yourself, pay attention to what’s going on right now. Looking back on it all now I think that Lee just got tired of trying. Or maybe there just wasn’t anybody left in his life for which to try. I do know that his bouts of drinking led to longer episodes of depression and he more than once spoke of ending his life. My father often cautioned all of us about leaving our loaded guns lying about the bunkhouse when Lee had been drinking. Maybe his warnings went unheeded or maybe we just took Lee’s episodes of drinking too much for granted. One late summer day, after Lee had found a bottle of whiskey in a ranch hand’s pickup, he went very quickly from drunk to depression. And from his depression, he went to the bunkhouse table where a pistol was left lying, used that afternoon by one of the cowboys for target practice. Lee moved from the table to a nearby wash basin, and while he stared at himself in the mirror above the sink, raised the pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. As he fell, he dropped the gun in the sink and died there by himself on the bunkhouse floor. I often wish that I could go back in my life and say things to people from my past, things that I think they should have heard. If I could, I would go tell Lee that he made a difference in my life. And that I think that part of the person I have become today has made his trying worthwhile.
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PE EH H %\ ,ULV 6ORFRPEH “First Dog’ss S Story tory of of Creation”
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he two wo oco coa Labs, Cocoa wn fe fe-the brown male, Shadow the male, were lazing in the hot sun. “Tell me a story, please,” asked Shadow. “My favorite, please.. First Dog’s Story of Creation.” Cocoa sighed. “I’ve told you that one so often – you ought to know it by heart.” “Oh! Please, Please, just once more,” Shadow whined. “Oh, all right.” Cocoa sounded a little grumpy. “Long, long ago, when the world was new. God made everything. Last of all he made a human being, First man. God looked around as though some-
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thing was not quite right. “You need a companion, It’s not good to be alone.” God told First man to call all the animals together, and to choose one to be his companion. First man looked at them, and shook his head. Then First dog came. God knew what she wanted, and stooped to rub her tummy. First dog sat up and thumped her tail on the ground. “Me, me,” she barked. “Choose me, I’d be perfect.” At that time all the animals could think in words and speak plainly, just as we do.
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
“Well, No,” said God, “You’re not exactly what I had in mind.” “But I would be perfect for him,” argued First dog, who wasn’t afraid of talking back to God. “I would take care of him and tell him when strangers were around, and play with him, and go with him for walks. I would help in every way I could, especially if he was going hunting” “Excuse me, First Dog?” said God. “What part of ‘NO’ don’t you understand?” She stood up, her head hanging down and her tail drooping between her legs, and walked away slowly. She stayed close enough to see what would happen next. God asked First man to lie down for a nap. Then, while the man was asleep, God did what seemed like magic, he pulled out a couple of his ribs and fashioned a “Thing” and the thing became a human, almost like the First man. First dog sniffed it, and at once knew it was female. Then First man woke up and saw the Thing God had made, and he was unhappy about it. Shadow interrupted Cocoa. “I thought you said God doesn’t do magic, Cocoa.” “He doesn’t, He does miracles, but this is the way my mother used to tell the story. Please don’t interrupt me again, Shadow.” God said, “Now, there are a couple of rules you two must keep, or something not for your good will happen to you. The first thing is, when you are hungry, you can have all you want to eat that grows in the garden, except you must Not touch the fruit of that tall tree close by.” “Is that all?” asked First man. “No,” said God. “I must give you a name. I want you to be called Adam.” “What about that Thing you made for me?” asked Adam. “Her name is Eve,” said God. First dog growled and asked, “What about me?” “Your name already is ‘First Dog’,” said God. “It’s like mine, only spelled backwards. You don’t need any other name, though at times you will be given different names.” “OK,” said First dog agreeably. “What happens now?” “You can go anywhere inside the garden, but not outside, and you must be good and guard Adam and Eve, and protect them if anything bad tries to get at them.” God left them, as it was evening, and the sun had almost set and went wherever he lives at night. Soon First dog heard it, a slithery sound under the bushes. She saw it. It was something long and thin wriggling along the ground. She sniffed, and bristled with alarm.
Adam and Eve had made for themselves a nest out of branches and dry grass, and were curled up fast asleep together. Eve woke on hearing the sound. The wriggly thing started talking to her. Back then, every creature spoke the same language. “Aren’t you hungry?” it asked “Yes, I am, but I don’t want to wake Adam,” Said Eve. “You don’t need to. Look there’s a tall tree with beautiful fruit right close to you. You could pick and eat almost without having to move.” “No,” said Eve. “We aren’t allowed to eat that fruit. God said we can eat of any fruit in the garden but NOT from that tree.” “Nonsense,” scoffed the creature. ”God eats it all the time. He fears you might become like Him. Go on, you don’t need to be afraid. Be sure to give some to Adam.” First dog growled, but it was too late. Eve had already broken off two fruits and bitten into one herself. “Isn’t it good?” asked the wriggly thing. “Delicious,” said Eve, as she turned to where Adam was sleeping. “Adam, wake up. I’ve brought our breakfast.” She handed the second fruit to him and he bit it at once, for he discovered he was very hungry. “Mm, good,” he said, and then he stared at Eve. ” Oh, Eve,” “God’s made a mistake.” “Look, you are quite different from me.” “Of course I am,” said Eve, “I’m female, we are different from males.” Adam heard God calling him. “Goodness, Eve, we can’t let God see us like this, he’ll know he has made a mistake. Quick, let’s pick some leaves and cover ourselves.” Adam broke off a huge leaf off a banana tree. Eve did the same. “What in the world do you two think you are doing?” asked God. “Well” said Adam, “We looked at each other and saw we were different, and felt embarrassed about it, so we thought we should cover ourselves before anyone saw us, especially You, in case you’d made a mistake!” “I never make mistakes. Who told you were different?” asked God. “Have you done what I asked you not to do?” Adam blushed and Eve started giggling. “God,” he said, “it wasn’t my fault.” She, that Thing you made for me, she gave me some of it to eat without telling me what it was.” God looked at Eve very sternly. “Why have you done this?” He asked. “It wasn’t my fault, either,” she replied quickly. “That wriggly thing over there said it would be alright and that nothing bad would happen if I ate the fruit.”
God replied. “That wriggly thing’s name is Snake. Now I will have to do something that I never wanted to do. I’ll have to think about how best to protect you and all my creation.” God sighed and went to the other side of the garden where he killed First Lamb, to get its skin, to make coverings for First Man and First Woman. Just then, First Dog came along and grinned up at God cheerfully, and very sassily said: “Boy, did you ever blow it! You would have done much better to have listened to me, and let me be First Man’s companion. I would have been absolutely obedient, and I couldn’t have tasted the fruit, because I can’t climb trees. And if that snake had come along, I wouldn’t have talked to it, I would have killed it!” she boasted. Never trust anything with less than two or more than four legs, I always say. That First man you made is pretty pathetic,” she continued. “He couldn’t even tell Eve was female without actually looking at her. We dogs can tell at once with a quick sniff.” God loved His cheeky First dog. “Maybe, but you can be Man’s best friend. He will still need you as a helper when hunting and you can carry things for him, and care for his little ones, and warn him of danger. You are a good female, First dog, and if you are
very good, the humans will choose you themselves, and some will treat you as if you were a human. Some of them will love you as if you were their own children.” First Dog wasn’t through yet. “Please, God, please, can I still be able to talk to Adam and First Woman?” she begged, rolling again on her back to be petted. God obliged her and smiled. “You will always be able to talk, you can learn to bark in lots of different ways that mean different things. They’ll understand you by the way you wag your tail, the look in your eyes, and rolling on your back to be petted. You’ll just have to be patient with humans because they aren’t quite as smart as you are. You can train them to throw things for you, like sticks, balls, and even Frisbees. Go and tell all the animals. This is their own story of Creation. “Thank you, Cocoa,” said Shadow, and curled down for a snooze beside Cocoa. Listening to a long story always made him feel tired and hungry, and before going into doggie REM sleep he quickly grabbed Cocoa’s last biscuit in appreciation for her story. (Note: Iris Ruth Slocombe is a longtime Lakeside resident and a former pastor of the Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.)
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The Ojo Crossword
ACROSS 1 People from Switzerland 6 Cram 9 Part of doorway 13__ cum laude 14 Self-esteem 15 Roll of tabacco 16 Rankle $ႈUPDWLYH JHVWXUH 18 Z 19 Store 20 Turkish Sea 22 pose 23 That woman 24 Compass point 25 Caps 27 Demonstrations 29 Ironic writer 33 Billion years 34 Central nervous system 2ႇ %URDGZD\ DZDUG 36 Desires 39 August (abbr.) 40 Former capital of Malawi 41 Tyrant 42 Arbiter 43 Movie star Taylor 44 Material girl 46 Inactive 49 Lager 50 December 51 Chop down 53 Abridged (abbr.)
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56 Capital of Massachusetts 58 Wild pig 59 Promotion 61 Charged particle 62 South American plain 63 Hold Fast 64 North northeast 65 Superior (Rel.) 66 Regretted 67 “To the right!” 68 Quoth DOWN 1 Destroy 2 Wished for 3 Fail to notice 4 Coke 5 Allege 6 Check out books again 7 Eager 8 Representing 9 Mountain Man Bridger 10 Gets older 11 Christ´s gift bringer 12 Rascal 15 Condominium 20 Association (abbr.) 21 Ventilates 24 Courts 26 Nap 28 Rapid Transits 30 Large computer co. 31 Bro. or sis. 32 British drink 34 8 oz. 36 Long-term memory 37 America 38 Melancholy 39 Gathering 40 Bluish white metal 42 Unclip 43 Legal claim to property 45 Knobby 47 Parallelograms 48 Hot water holder 50 Receiver of a gift 52 Anger 53 Reduce 54 Type of dressing 55 Canon 57 Firm up muscles 58 Baby´s “ball” 60 Radiation dose 62 Old-fashioned Dads
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J
altepec Centro Educativo held its annual Christmas Dinner and Luncheon November 29th and 30th 2016 and we thank all of the attendees for making this outstanding event a sold out celebration. We would also like to recognize Timothy G. Ruff Welch and the “Taste” of the Los Cantantes del Lago Choir for their special contribution to this festive occasion. Funds raised continue to help make Jaltepec, a school which grants a Technical Degree in Hoteleria to young Mexican women, a success. Sadly, the death of the Instructor Dolores de la Torre in the tragic accident in September was a great loss, and her gift with floral design was missed at this year’s Christmas at Jaltepec. This year was a recreation of the Candlelight Dinner with memories of the lack of electrical power in December 2014 which galvanized the staff and students into a quick thinking solution! Candles appeared from all corners of the school, the turkeys and food were cooked in the demonstration classroom with gas stoves, and despite being unable to have the Los Cantantes Concert, everyone enjoyed themselves. There were special requests for a Candlelight Dinner again this year in the newly renovated Dining
Room which turned out very well and will become a regular event in the future! Open House and Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon Announcement: For those who would like to learn more about Jaltepec, its History, Academic Program, and our Scholarship Program, along with a tour of the facilities and a complimentary lunch to see the quality of education our students receive at Jaltepec, there will be an Open House & Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017, limited to 60 guests, starting at 11:00 AM. Please email or call Linda Buckthorp at 766-1631 or email buckthorplm@gmail.com If interested in receiving the quarterly Jaltepec Newsletter, contact Carole Baker caroledbaker@hotmail.ca
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Over 60 years of “People Helping People”
The
Lൺൾ Cඁൺඉൺඅൺ Sඈർංൾඍඒ
News
January 2017
The LCS 2017 Annual Giving Fund Needs You!
The New World
When you were a newcomer to Lakeside, where did you turn to for information about living in Mexico? If you’re like most in our community, you came to the Lake Chapala Society. Why? Because you know LCS provides a network of 1000’s of ex-pats who have already travelled the same path. Some of these “advisors” may have become lifelong friends. In April, 2016 we started our first annual giving program with an ambitious goal of $400,000 pesos. As of the writing of this article we have achieved a little more than half of our goal. We thank those who have given. To be sure, annual giving is one of the most important areas in an organization’s fundraising efforts. For years LCS has operated on membership dues and special events as the basis for our financial support. The board is very cognizant that our members financial status covers a broad spectrum. Our dues are purposefully kept low so that LCS is accessible to all income levels. However our costs are no longer completely covered by these efforts alone. Since 2010 LCS established 3 year strategic goals. In 2013 they were reviewed and revised. A review in 2016 showed that we are achieving our goals, particularly in community and cross-cultural integration. Likewise LCS is now perceived as a leader in the community working with authorities to support: safety, education, and many other quality of life issues. One goal is to get better at what we do, “helping people”, and to have a professional staff to make that happen. Our goal includes a new campus, that takes advantage of our new property acquisition, and will support our current programs and infrastructure in an exciting up-to-date, and environmentally friendly way. Plans include integrating our two campuses into one, state of the art and user friendly technologies. Prominent among our goals is to preserve our beautiful gardens and create an architecture that reflects our historic and neighborhood values. If you feel the way we do, your contribution will be critical to our success. LCS is a cornerstone that unites multiple cultures. LCS is a cornerstone upon which has been built a unique and remarkable lakeside community. You have the security to know that we are here when you need us. With your annual gift donation you are helping enrich the lives of literally thousands of people in many important ways. A gift of $400 Mexican pesos is all we ask. It’s simple to contribute. You can drop your donation off at the LCS Office or online. Please be part of our team and help us keep LCS moving forward.
For several years LCS has maintained a web site (see above), and a few years ago it got a new face-lift. In 2016 our website received over 1.6 million hits with almost 35,000 unique visitors. Today there is a new kid on the block, it’s called Facebook. (www. facebook.com/lakechapalasociety) Two years ago we began to actively use Facebook, and encourage those interested in our up-to-the minute happenings to follow us on Facebook. We now have over 1600 followers. Please use both of these tools to learn more about LCS and to follow our activities. The website is updated weekly, and Facebook is updated all of the time. Among other things, the website allows you to pay for your membership, sign up for spanish classes, sign up for PEP classes, renew library books, view our book and video library collection, view the Children’s Art Collection and the Neill James Archive, and of course make donations, all online. We encourage you to embrace these technologies and put them to good use.
Ben White, LCS President Terry Vidal, LCS Executive Director
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
¡QUE GANGA!, the LCS thrift store has been fortunate to have recently received an estate. Come and find some quality items at amazing ¡QUE GANGA! prices. We are looking for a Sunday volunteer, we’ll train you and we know that you’ll enjoy working with the friendly, helpful team.
PERSONAL (15,&+0(17 352*5$0 The Lake Chapala Society’s Personal Enrichment Program (PEP) is a continuing education program designed to help you understand Mexico better. Culture, tradition, history, nature, language, science, you name it, and PEP can offer it. This program is intended for LCS members only.* PEP 2.0 features new and intensive gardening courses. Francisco is a bi-lingual sustainable architect with considerable experience in organic gardening. He will fascinate and guide you through the art of maintaining your Lakeside garden. Judy King returns to teach a new course using literature to discover Mexico’s rich history. Picking important authors and a movie she will discuss the tumultuous period of the Mexican revolution and the impact it had on families. Dr. Dan Grippo will also return to teach his highly acclaimed Mexican history class as well as a new class celebrating the first 100 years of the Mexican Constitution, which was ratified in 1917 as a consequence of the revolution. The courses come in a variety of formats, either 1 or 8 weeks. * Membership must be active to enroll and must remain active for the duration of each class.
INTRODUCTION TO LAKESIDE GARDENING Course Fee: $500 MXN (8 classes) Course Dates: January 10 - February 28, 2017 Course Time: Tuesday, 10 - 11 AM (1 hr) Instructor: Francisco Javier Gonzalez Nava Course Description: What is special about gardening lakeside? Monthly garden calendar: What blooms when? Effective communication with your gardener: Mexican POV vs. Ex-Pat POV. Garden Spanish: beginning vocabulary and phrases. Full sun gardens, shade gardens, formal vs. casual gardens, organic gardens. Starting plants from seeds, garden pest and disease management, drought tolerant gardens. Pruning and weeding. Composting, mulching, guided tour of the LCS garden.
INTRODUCCÍON A LA JARDINERÍA, RIBERA DE CHAPALA Inscripción: $500 MXN (8 classes) Fechas: 12 de enero - 2 de marzo, 2017 Hora: Miercoles, 10 - 11 AM (1 hr) Instructor: Francisco Javier Gonzalez Nava Temas expuestos: Porque tomar esta clase? Revisar programa de estudios. Que es especial de la jardinería en la ribera? Calendario mensual: Que florece y cuando? Comunicándose efectivamente con su jardinero, punto de vista mexicano v.s. extranjero, ingles para el jardín, vocabulario y frases principales. Jardines de sol, de sombra, formales v.s. informales, orgánicos. Cultivando plantas de semilla, control de plaga y prevención. Jardines de Sequía. Podar y desmalezar el jardín. Jardines de contenedor. Composta, acolchado y un recorrido guiado por el jardín del LCS.
ADVANCED LAKESIDE GARDENING FRANCISCO JAVIER GONZALEZ NAVA B.A. University of Southern California (USC) and Cal State University, Los Angeles - Early Childhood Development. M.A. USC - Instructional Technology. A.A. Santa Monica College Academy of Entertainment Technology (AET) and UCLA School of Architecture - Architectural Design. Apprenticeship in sustainability mentored by Lois Arkin, founder of Los Angeles Eco Village Teaching Experience: Santa Monica College; Department of Architectural Interior Design. Francisco is presently part of the Growers Group, an organization of worldwide gardeners that continues to provide him with newfound gardening knowledge.
Course Fee: $500 MXN (8 classes) Course Dates: January 11 - March 1, 2017 Course Time: Wednesday, 10 - 11 AM (1 hr) Instructor: Francisco Javier González Nava Course Description: Soil - What makes the perfect soil? Collecting and testing samples, specifying adjustments and amendments for horticulture, microorganisms, soil composition. Collecting, preparing and propagating from Seed, an intensive look. Establishing and maintaining a range of plant types and forms. Identification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders. Planning, collecting, preparing and establishing Propagation materials. Management of green spaces, landscaped areas and ornamental gardens. 4 Seasons of planting at Lakeside. Preparing a crop and/or landscape plan.
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SURVIVING THE REVOLUTION Course Fee: $600 MXN (8 classes) Course Dates: January 18 - March 8, 2017 Course Time: Wednesday, 10:00 - 11:30 (1.5 hrs) Instructor: Judy King Course Description: The Mexican revolution which began in 1910 returned the country to the rights and privileges that had been known by the indigenous prior to the conquest by Spain. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decade-long civil war created the foundation of modern Mexico. Turn-of-the-century Mexican families faced incredible hardships during the turmoil and visits from maundering bands under the leadership of men such as Francisco (Pancho) Villa and Emiliano Zapata. As the war waged, and those leaders in disfavor darted to safety across the Texas border, families were divided, men, and women followed the fighting, other families were driven from their homes and country to immigrate to the United States. This course studies family life before and the family role during the revolution through well-respected books: The Underdogs, a short novel written at the time by Dr. Mariano Azuela; The Rain of Gold, an often humorous, but dramatic retelling of the family history of Victor VillaseĂąor. Optional recommended books are a novel based on family history, The Hummingbirdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea, an eye-witness account, The Gringo Rebel: My Life in the Mexican Revolution 1913-1914 by Ivor Thord-Grey and The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes. The movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like Water for Chocolateâ&#x20AC;? will be viewed during one class session to further punctuate the turmoil in shattered families and communities.
A CENTURY OF LAW AND (DIS)ORDER MEXICOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 1917 CONSTITUTION TURNS 100 Instructor: Daniel Grippo, Ph.D. Course Fee: $450 MXN (5 classes) Course Dates: February 27 - March 3, 2017 Course Time: Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 (1 hr) Course Description: Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1917 Constitution is hailed as a landmark in civil and human rights, notable for its articles on land reform, education, and secularization. The first part of the course will examine key articles in the Constitution, how the document came about in the context of the violent Mexican Revolution, and how it has evolved over the past century. We will then examine Mexico today in an effort to understand why society is plagued by a lack of confidence in the judicial system and serious problems of law enforcement, corruption, and disregard for the written law. How can we understand the contradictions between Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written legal code and how law and order operates in everyday life? Course Goals: To provide an understanding and appreciation of the unique features challenges, and contradictions in Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal structure, judicial system, and ways in which law and order are enforced and undermined in everyday life.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN MEXICO A SWEEPING OVERVIEW OF THE DRAMATIC STORY Course Fee: $480 MXN (5 classes) Course Dates: February 27 - March 3, 2017 Course Time: Monday - Friday, 1:30 - 3:00 (1.5 hrs) Instructor: Daniel Grippo, Ph.D. Course Description: Mexico is a nation both ancient and modern, open yet mysterious. We will enrich our understanding of this great nation by examining key movements and moments in Mexican history. Course Goals: To provide an understanding and appreciation of the richness and complexity of Mexican history and culture.
'$1,(/ *5,332 3+ ' -8'< .,1* Journalist, Real Estate, Publisher Online magazine â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living at Lake Chapala,â&#x20AC;? 2001-2013 Editor, Lake Chapala Review, 2008-2014 Columnist, Guadalajara Reporter 2015-2016 Author, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living at Lake Chapalaâ&#x20AC;? 2014 Living in Ajijic since 1990.
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Latin American History University of Kansas, May 2006 Dissertation Focus: Religious Conflict in Mexico: The Cristero Rebellion and the Cultural Revolution (1926-1936) Teaching Experience / Training (1994-2008) University of Kansas, University of Missouri-KC Avila College, Kansas City Center for Outreach, Chicago 2008-Present International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Currently lives in Puerto Vallarta.
Another Celebration of World Class Mariachi. Two groups will perform in two shows on January 7. Both groups will perform in each show. One show is scheduled earlier in the day, while the second show ends just in time for dinner. Tickets only $200 pesos each. Grupo Bella is a Los Angeles based, multi-faceted all-female ensemble with roots in the Mariachi genre. Formed in the summer of 2010, the group was immediately recognized for its talent. Using traditional Mariachi instrumentation, Grupo Bella performs a broad assortment of music from different regions and time periods. Grupo Bella is directed by Vanessa Ramirez, who is of Mexican heritage, and has sung and performed on various continents. Vanessa has earned a Grammy Award for her vocal work, and is also a Grammy nominated composer for one of her original songs. The ensemble is a powerful musical force that performs throughout Southern California, including national television shows and movies, including Good Day LA, My Fair Wedding, and Hellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen. Mariachi Estrellas de Chula Vista, who performed in last years festival, was formed in 2011 by graduates of Mariachi Chula Vista, widely considered the top high school mariachi in the United States during the 2000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. These young musicians wished to continue to rehearse and perform mariachi music at a high level as they pursued academia or real life. Highlights from the past five years: First Place at the 2014 and 2015 Mariachi Spectacular Mariachi Competition, First Place at 2012 Por Amor a Mi Tierra, Guadalajara, and First Place at the 2015 Mariachi Nationals Competition. The group is directed by Mark Fogelquist, whose career as a mariachi scholar, educator, performer, and director spans more than four decades. If you like Mariachi youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love this festival. If you are so so about Mariachi, this performance will make you a true lover of this quintessential Mexican music whose roots were born in Jalisco. These are both world class groups comparing with Mexican Mariachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like Mariachi Vargas de TecalitlĂĄn and Mariachi los Camperos. We expect both shows to sell out so get your tickets early.
THE LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY, A.C. 16 de Septiembre #16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco LCS Main Office: (376) 766-1140 Office, information and other services - Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Grounds open until 5:00 p.m. LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS. President - Ben White (2018); Vice-President - Cate Howell (2017); Treasurer - Michael Searles (2017); Secretary - Carole Wolff (2018); Directors: Matthew Butler (2018); Dee Dee Camhi (2017); Lois Cugini (2017); Barbara Hildt (2017); Geoffrey Kaye (2018) Yoli Martinez (2017); George Radford (2018) Immediate Past President: Howard Feldstein. * Executive Director - Terry Vidal
The LCS Newsletter is published monthly. Deadline for submissions is the 17th of the month preceding publication. Submit all news items to mediateam@lakechapalasociety.com 1RWH 7KH HGLWRULDO VWDয় UHVHUYHV WKH ULJKW WR HGLW DOO VXEPLVVLRQV DFFRUGLQJ WR WLPH VSDFH DYDLODELOLW\ DQG HGLWRULDO GHFLVLRQ
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- ATLAS COUNTRY GOLF COURSE Tel: 33-3689-2620
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* GRILLS - NAPOLEON Tel: 766-6153
3DJ
+$5':$5( 6725(6 - FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440 3DJ
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* HEARING AIDS /$.(6,'( +($5,1* 6(59,&(6 Cell. (045) 33-1511-4088
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+20( $33/,$1&(6 (/ 7,2 6$0 Tel: 766-5664
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* HOTELS / SUITES - DOLPHIN COVE INN Tel: 314-334-1515 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, 766-1344
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* INSURANCE /$.(6,'( ,1685$1&( ('*$5 &('(f2 Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982 3DJ 3$5.(5 ,1685$1&( 6(59,&(6 Tel: 765-5287, 765-4070 3DJ 3527(;3/$1 U.S. Toll Free 1-800-608-5743 Mexico Toll Free 01-800-681-6730 3DJ - TIOCORP Tel: 766-4828 3DJ
* LEGAL SERVICES
* FITNESS
* CONSTRUCTION 3DJ
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* CHIROPRACTIC
- TEPEHUA TREASURES Tel: 763-5126
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* FINANCIAL SERVICES
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* CANOPIES
- THE CLEAN SPOT Tel: 766-5444 Cell: 33-3137-5364
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* BOUTIQUE &86720 6(:,1*
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- DEAD GRINGOS
/21$6 0(;,&2 Tel: 766-0045, Cell: 33-3956-4852
- FRATS Tel: 765-2505, 765-3946 - LINEA PROFESIONAL Tel. 766-2555, Fax. 766-0066
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- ART HOUSE Tel: 765-5097 3DJ $=7(& 678',2 3DJ - DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683 3DJ - EL CORAZON CREATIVO / THE CREATIVE HEART Tel: 766-0496 3DJ - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 3DJ 0(;,&$1 .$/(,'26&23( Tel: 108-0887 3DJ 62/ 0(;,&$12 Tel: 766-0734 3DJ - ZARAGOZA STUDIO Tel: 766-0573, 766-7049 3DJ
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* BEER & LIQUOR STORES
$/&2+2/,&6 $121<0286 Tel: 766-5961
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* HEALTH /$.( &+$3$/$ &(17(5 )25 63,5,78$/ LIVING Tel: 766-0920 3DJ - OHASHI ISLAS PRODUCT Tel: 766-1527 3DJ
- AJIJIC LEGAL SERVICES Cell: (045) 33 1172 1724 - SOLBES & SOLBES ABOGADOS Tel: 331-520-5529, 333-676-6245
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0(',&$/ 6(59,&(6 $/7$ 5(7,1$ 'U 5LJREHUWR 5LRV /HyQ 2SKWKDOPLF 6XUJHRQ Tel: 766-1521 3DJ &$6,7$ 0217$f$ Tel: 766-5513 3DJ &+$3$/$ 0(' Tel: 766-4435, Cell: (045) 331-650-9645 3DJ &/,1,&$ < )$50$&,$ 0$6.$5$6 Tel: 765-4805 3DJ '(50$72/2*,67 Tel: 765-2400, Cell: (045) 333-170-6570 3DJ '(50,.$ 'HUPDWRORJLF &HQWHU Tel: 766-2500 3DJ '5 *$%5,(/ 9$5(/$ Tel: 765-6666, Cell: 333-128-6347 3DJ '5 -$0(6 -$5$0,//2 &+$9(= 0 ' 0HGLFDO 3V\FKLDWU\ Tel: 765-4805 3DJ '5 -8$1 0 $&(9(6 0 Tel: 766-1244, Cell. 331-429-1343 3DJ '5 /$:5(1&( 52:( :+,7(+8567 Tel: 766-5265 3DJ '5$ &/$8',$ / &$0$&+2 &+2=$ 2SKWKDOPRORJLVW Tel: 33-1750-8504 3DJ '5$ 0$57+$ 5 %$//(67(526 )5$1&2 Cell: (045) 333-408-0951 3DJ - GO LAB Tel: 106-0881 3DJ - HOSPITAL AJIJIC Tel: 766-0500, 766-0662 3DJ
+263,7$/ $1*(/(6 '(/ &$50(1 Tel: (01) 3813-0042 3DJ ,&0, 0LQLPDOO\ ,QYDVLYH &DUGLRYDVFXODU Interventions Cell: (044) 333-157-4741 3DJ ,0(' ,17(*5,7< Tel: 766-5154 3DJ - ISILAB Tel: 766-1164 3DJ /$.(6,'( &$5',2/2*< &/,1,& 'U 6DOYDGRU 0R\D Tel: (387) 763-0665 3DJ /$.(6,'( 0(',&$/ *5283 Tel: 766-0395 3DJ - PLASTICA LIFT Tel: 108-0595 3DJ 3/$67,& 685*(5< 'U %HQMDPLQ 9LOODUDQ Tel: 766-5513 3DJ 9$5,&26( 9(,16 75($70(17 Tel: 765-4805 3DJ
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086,& 7+($75( (9(176 &+,/, &22. 2)) Tel: 766-3167 3DJ ' - +2:$5' Tel: 766-3044 3DJ /,3 6<1& 2+ /$ /$ 3DJ 1,f26 ,1&$3$&,7$'26 75,9,$ 48,= 5(78516 Tel: 765-3757 3DJ 1,f26 ,1&$3$&,7$'26 5$%%,( %8516 Tel: 765-3226 3DJ 7,&.(7 72 5,'( Tel: 33-3270-8407 3DJ 7+$7¶6 (17(57$,10(17 3DJ 7+( 1$.(' 67$*( 5($'(5¶6 7+($75( 3DJ
* NURSERY /$6 3$/0$6 Cell: (045) 33-3170-1776/33-1195-7112 3DJ
* PAINT 48,52= ,PSHUPHDELOL]DQWHV Tel: 766-2311 - QUIROZ-Pinturas Tel: 766-5959
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* PAINTING SERVICES /$.( &+$3$/$ 3$,17,1* 6(59,&( Tel 33-1741-5501 3DJ
* PERSONAL ASSISTANCE 1(:&20(56 ,/6( +2))0$11 ilsecarlota40@gmail.com, www.guadalajarachapalatravelguide.com Tel 01(33) 3647-3912 Cell (045) 33-3157-2541
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* REAL ESTATE $-,-,& +20( ,163(&7,216 Tel: 766-2836 3DJ $/,; :,/621 Cell. (+52 1) 33-1265-5078 3DJ %(9 -($1 &2)(// +RPH 2á&#x201A;&#x2C6;FH 3DJ - CHULA VISTA NORTE Tel: 766-2177 Cell: (045) 33-1892-2194 3DJ - CIELOVISTA Tel: 766-2688 3DJ &2&2 :21&+(( Tel: 766-1917, 1918 3DJ
&2/':(// %$1.(5 &+$3$/$ 5($/7< Tel: 766-1152, 766-3369 Fax: 766-2124, Tels: 765-2877 Fax: 765-3528 3DJ - CONTINENTAL REALTY Tel: 766-1994 3DJ &80%5(6 Tel: 766-2688 3DJ - DON SNELL Cell 33-1005-9129 3DJ - EAGER & ASOCIADOS Tel: (376) 766 1917, 1918 3DJ )25 6$/( %< 2:1(5 Tel: 3313 1961 06, U.S.: (209) 981 4485 3DJ )25 6$/( %< 2:1(5 Cell: 331-856-3840 3DJ )25 6$/( %< 2:1(5 Cell: 331-856-3840 Pag: )25 6$/( %< 2:1(5 3DJ )25 6$/( %< 2:1(5 Tel: 314-333-1885 3DJ *(25*(77( 5,&+021' Tel: 766-2077 3DJ *(5$5'2 0(',1$ Cell. 331-121-7034 3DJ - JUDIT RAJHATHY Cell: (045) 331 - 395 - 9849 3DJ /$.( &+$3$/$ 5($/ (67$7( Tel: 766-4530, Cell: 33-1223-9014 3DJ /8&, 0(55,77 Tel: 766-1917, 766-1918 3DJ 0(*$1 7,1*(1 Tel: 765-2877 3DJ 035 5($/ (67$7( Tel: (315) 351-5167 3DJ 3(7(5 67 -2+1 Tel: 765-3676, 331-323-0893 3DJ - SANDI ALLIN BRISCOE Tel: 765-2484, 331-563-8941 3DJ - RAUL GONZALEZ Cell: 33-1437-0925 3DJ - ROBERT BICHLBAUER Cell: 332-164-5301 3DJ - VISTA ALEGRE Tel: 766-2688 3DJ
Tel: 765-6996 3DJ 6,03/< 7+$, Tel: 766-4767, Cell: 333-393-2770 3DJ 67 5(0< Tel: 33-1603-7343, 33-1097-9154 3DJ - TEPETATE THAI RESTAURANT Tel: 766-2020 3DJ - THE BAGEL PLACE Tel: 766-0664 3DJ 7+( 3($&2&. *$5'(1 Tel: 766-1381 3DJ 75,3¶6 %85*(5 3DJ - TONYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069 3DJ - YVES Tel: 766-3565 3DJ
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5(7,5(0(17 5(67 1856,1* +20(6 - CASA ANASTASIA Tel: 765-5680 / 33-3452-5864 3DJ - LA CASA NOSTRA Tel: 765-3824 3DJ 0, &$6,7$ 1XUVLQJ +RPH $VVLVWHG /LYLQJ Center Cell: (045) 33-1115-9615 3DJ 1856,1* +20( /$.( &+$3$/$ Tel: 766-0404 3DJ - OHANA Tel: (01387) 761-0403 3DJ
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* SCHOOL
* SOLAR ENERGY - ENERGIA LIBRE Tel: 33-3123-1328
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63$ 0$66$*( - BALNEARIO SAN JUAN COSALA Tel: (387) 761-0222 - FRAU SPA Tel: 766-4393, Cell. 33-1736-5772 - GANESHA SPA Tel: 766-5653 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - TOTAL BODY CARE Tel: 766-3379
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* SELF STORAGE
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* STAINED GLASS $,0$5 67$,1(' */$66 Cell: 33-1741-3515
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* TOURS - CHARTER CLUB TOURS Tel: 766-1777 3DJ - LYDIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOURS Tel: 765-4742, (045) 33-1026-4877 3DJ 0(; (&2 72856 3DJ
* TREE SERVICE - CHAPALA TREE SERVICE Tel: 762-0602
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:$7(5 - TECNO AQUA Tel: 766-3731, 108-0808
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* SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS /$.( &+$3$/$ 62&,(7< Tel: 766-1140 3DJ /26 1,f26 '( &+$3$/$ < $-,-,& Tel: 765-7032 3DJ
* RESTAURANTS/CAFES - AJIJIC TANGO Tel: 766-2458 3DJ - ALFREDOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CALIFORNIA Cell: 33-1301-9862 3DJ - ARILEO Tel: 106-1627 3DJ $50$1'2¶6 +,'($:$< Tel: 766-2229 3DJ - CASA FUERTE Tels: 3639-6474 / 81 3DJ - COLIBRI GARDEN Tel: 765-4412, Cell: 333-156-9382 3DJ - GAUCHERIA Tel: 766-4357 3DJ - GO BISTRO Cell: (045) 33-3502-6555 3DJ - HOT ROD Tel: 766-5890 3DJ -$60,1(¶6 &ODVVLF ,QGLD Tel: 766-2636 3DJ /$ &$6$ '(/ :$))/( Tel: 766-1946 3DJ - LA CASA DEL CAFE Tel: 766-2876 3DJ - LA BODEGA DE AJIJIC Tel: 766-1002 3DJ - LA HACIENDA DE DON PEDRO Tel: 766-4906 3DJ /$ 0,6,21 Tel: 108-0887 3DJ - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, 766-1344 3DJ ³/$ 7$9(51$´'(, 48$7752 025, Tel: 766-2848 3DJ /26 02//(7(6 Tel: 766-4296 3DJ 020¶6 '(/, 5(67$85$17 Tel: 765-5719 3DJ - PANINO Tel: 766-3822 3DJ - PIZZERIA TOSCANA
The Ojo Crossword
Saw you in the Ojo 103
CARS
FOR SALE: 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible - 6 cylinder, automatic, good looking car, fun to drive and runs great. Mexican plated and paperwork in order. $2200 usd. Telephone 333-1420012. FOR SALE: I have a Sears Cartop Carrier for sale in Chapala. Key/lock/ instalation hardware all intact. $1,500 pesos. Call: 331-540-8947. FOR SALE: Selling Honda Civic excellent condition. 80,000 miles, 2002 automatic. up to date payments, Jalisco plates, If you are interested please call at (045) 332-312-3380. FOR SALE: 96 Ford Ranger. Standard shift, new emissions sticker last month, 4 new tires, new front brakes, new belt. In May, 2014, new battery and DOWHUQDWRU QHZ PXá&#x201A;&#x2030;HU UDGLDWRU Ă&#x20AC;XVKHG and cleaned, regular servicing, Regular cab, extended bed, camper shell, 98,000 miles. $60,000 pesos. Email: is4916@e-mail.ph. :$17(' Car speakers Any suggestions on where, in the Lakeside area, to take a car for speaker repair? Email: pwkoughan@shaw.ca. :$17(' If you have an enclosed trailer, please call Ralph at 766-1404. FOR SALE: 2012 EZ GO golf cart with roof and wind shield in excellent condition. Comes with plastic/vinyl cover. Located in San Antonio near Super Lake Store. $59,000 pesos. Phone. 376-766-5689. FOR SALE: Wolkswagen polo 2004. 4 cilinder, estandar, all electric, D F ZRUNV ÂżQH -DOLVFR SODWHV 7LUHV new. Price $67000 pesos. Call: 333459-5533. :$17(' Looking for Vocho (VW Original Beetle) in excellent condition. Email: rvanparys@hotmail.com.
COMPUTERS
FOR SALE: Apple Watch Version 1. Have used this Apple Watch Sport Model (syncs with iPhone 5 and later) for only two months. Questions at (376766-3420) or (331-746-1288) or email me at jbrickman@mac.com. I am askLQJ EXW ZLOO HQWHUWDLQ DOO Rá&#x201A;&#x2021;HUV FOR SALE: Desktop Computer. ASUS CM5571-BR003 Desktop Tower Unit. Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400 2.7GHz 6GB (upgradable to 16GB) RAM 1TB Hard Drive. Windows 7 Home Premium with 8 USB 2.0 ports, Fast Ethernet 10/100/1000 mps, HDMI, DVI, VGA, DVD/CD RW, digital media card reader, mouse & keyboard. Monitor NOT included. Excellent quality system with no problems. US$375 or peso equiv. Call Brian at 766-4836. FOR SALE: HP cartridges. 61 XL color and 61XL Black $250.00 each or $450 for both. Pick up in Chapala Haciendas. 376-765-6348. FOR SALE: Xerox Model 510 High Speed Scanner Flatbed or ADF. Works ÂżQH 1HHGV XSGDWHG GULYHUV IRU : only works on XP now. Pick up in Chapala Haciendas. 376-765-6348. FOR SALE: All In One Dell Com-
104
puter. Purchased one year ago. Has Windows 8.1 in Spanish, and it is in great condition in all ways. It is a Dell 7X3270 (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an AMD A4--5000 quad core CPU with 4 Gigs of RAM. Cost was $8,290p. I would say the lady will let it go for $6,500p. Contact me if you are interested and I will put you in touch Mike. Email: mike@ajijiccomputing.com. FOR SALE: House cleaning various PC items for sale or free. Pay in USD or MXN equivalent. All PC products work with Windows, most with Linux. No idea about Apple. Please visit the page and check all the items at: www.e-clasVLÂżHGV FKDSDOD FRP. Email: rskryd@ gmail.com. :$17(' Where can I have a laser printer repaired inAjijic or Chapala? Email: rosesmich@gmail.com.
PETS & SUPPLIES
FOUND: American Bull Dog This dog was found last Friday in Lower Chula Vista, he was taken to the Vet as I could not bring him home, I have 3 dogs and a cat. He is 7 years old, white male, castrated, tattooed. He is very mellow and loving. He is presently at Pepe Maganaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vet in Riberas. Email: desertcalm@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Petco Adjustable Mesh Harness for Dogs in Green & Gray. )XOO\ DGMXVWDEOH IRU D VQXJ FXVWRP ÂżW Breathable, lightly padded mesh for the utmost in comfort. Nylon strap has two metal D-rings to attach a leash & extra tab for attaching an ID tag or charm. Bold FRORUV JXQPHWDO ÂżQLVK PHWDO KDUGware to showcase your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sense of style. ( Med Size.) $297.00mxp. Email: ULFKDUGÂżVFHOOD#SURGLJ\ QHW P[. FREE: Dogs need homes. Mexican rescue 4 years old about 30 lbs male. Buchone mixed 5 years old about 20 lbs male. Mexican rescue black lab mix 7 years old about 70 lbs. female. Boxer 10 years old about 50 lbs. male. All are spayed or neutered. Contact at jksmex2@gmail.com. Cell 331-425-7787. FOUND: FEMALE BASSET HOUND. Found in West Ajijic, close to Villa Nova. 28 lb Female Basset Hound, good condition, very well behaved. Contact Carol 331-512-6432.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
:$17(' looking for a partner for my Imail box. US$99. for 14 mos. Jerry at 766 0397. FOR SALE: 1200 liters cisterna for sale $2000. Email: chapalaweb1@ gmail.com. :$17(' Looking for a corner sofa to make a statement in the center of a URRP RU ÂżW SHUIHFWO\ LQWR D FRUQHU" 6HOOing gently used, contemporary style cream leather sectional sofa. 3 sections, one with headrest. Cushions directly attached to the frames to prevent slippage during use. Excellent condition. Easy cleaning with mild detergent. Total length 545 cm. $19,000 pesos. Call Michael 331- 319-116. FOR SALE: I have a Sears brand cartop carrier. It has key/lock and instal-
El Ojo del Lago / January 2017
lation hardware all intact. $1,500 pesos. Call: 33-1540-8947. FOR SALE: Loveseat in good condition and comfortable for sale $2200 Pesos. Dimensions: Length: 67 inches. Width. 36 inches. 331-039-5150. FOR SALE: Suede chair for sale to match suede couch also advertised in other advertisement on blog. Dimensions of chair: Wide: 43 inches. Deep: 35 inches. Excellent condition: $1500 Pesos: 331-039-5150. FOR SALE: Suede couch in excellent condition for sale $2500 Pesos. 87 inches long. 36 inches deep. Email: lessegel@gmail.com. FOR SALE: WANTED POWER WASHER Email: jausten09@yahoo. com. FOR SALE: Perfect condition vinyl Levellors 2 sets Can be re-sized to suit your measurements. Soft grey colour Approx size per set: 8â&#x20AC;&#x2122;6â&#x20AC;? long and 10 IW ´ ZLGH 0DNH DQ Rá&#x201A;&#x2021;HU (PDLO SRStarte.227@gmail.com. :$17(' Recumbent bicycle new or nearly new in good condition for indoor exercise. Email: anigeran@hotmail.com. :$17(' Does anyone know where I can buy a machine to purify the air in my house--remove pollen and GXVW VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DQG LI SRVVLEOH DGG humidity? I have recently had a severe asthma attack and am also undergoing construction with much dust, so I need it badly. Email: jubob2@hotmail.com. FOR SALE: ECCO - Irving Fisherman Sandal Direct-injected Polyurethane Outsole. Leather-covered Inlay Sole. Textile Lining. ECFSâ&#x201E;˘ Technology. Made in SLOVAQUIA. Size: USA 9-9.5 EU 43 MEX 27.5 Wide M (regular). Color: COGNAC. Price: US$90.00 (original USS 139.95). Email: nunez. chavez.jorge@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Two chaise lounges. They are heavy duty. Do not need cushions. Cell: 331-125-8877. FOR SALE: Brown ultra-suede living room chair and love-seat for sale, like new. located in West Ajijic $225.00 US or equivalent in Pesos for both. May be seen by appointment. Cell: 332-2590706. FOR SALE: /LIH OLNH DUWLÂżFLDO &KULVWmas tree, ornaments, lights and many extras, including the tree topper/angel and tree skirt. The tree measures 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2â&#x20AC;? (1.88m) tall x 3â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4â&#x20AC;? (1.2m) wide at its base. The package includes quality Christmas ornaments and 3 sets of various lights, and various decorative LWHPV OLNH VWXá&#x201A;&#x2021;HG DQLPDOV $ VWHDO DW $125 USD or Peso equivalent. Contact by email at scrubs1946@msn.com. FOR SALE: Rose colored recliner chair for sale near new condition. Material not leather or vinyl phone 108-1748 or write sanbt69@live.com :$17(' Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for a telephone answering machine. Email: rosesmich@gmail.com. FOR SALE: 4 new glass bricks/blocks with wave pattern 12â&#x20AC;? X 12â&#x20AC;? $1200p. Email:
VLONĂ&#x20AC;HXUV#RXWORRN FRP :$17(' Need electric weed wacker in good/new condition. Please PM me if you are interested in selling one. Email: jausten09@yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Toastmaster food slicer, household. $1000 pesos. Please PM me if interested. Email: jausten09@ yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Four older door knobs and associated hardware. $100 pesos OBO. Email: pwkoughan@shaw.ca. FOR SALE: Satellite Receiver DSR SHAW 209. SHAW DIRECT DSR RSN209. Paid $1200 pesos asking $1000pesos. Please call Susanne at 376-766-4456, Cell 333-104-7455. FOR SALE: DVD player hardly used great for DVDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from Oscar Wednesday market Ajijic phone 108-1748 or write sanbt69@live.com. FOR SALE: Older TV 19in color phone 108-1748 or write sanbt69@live. com. FOR SALE: I have a one and a half horse power motor and attached pump in excellent condition for sale. Price is negotiable. Email: pwkoughan@shaw. ca. FOR SALE: Living Room Set A WKUHH SLHFH FKHVWHUÂżHOG VHW 1HXWUDO color (cream) only one year old. Must sell $7500 pesos. Call 387-761-0021 or email rennicint@yahoo.com. :$17(' Does anyone live in the Racquet Club and use ATT cellular for your smart phone provider? or know someone? I am moving to RC next week and Telmex has NO lines available for RC, so I must use a smart phone to get internet. Reply here or call (333) 841-7228. Patricia. FOR SALE: Commercial Grade Meat Grinder. $13,600 pesos or best offer. Email: jausten09@yahoo.com. FOR SALE: Dog sweaters for small to medium dogs. Very reasonable. Call 376-765-6348. :$17(' Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to buy a copy of Living in Lake Chapala book. Diane Pearl no longer carries them. Ron. Email: elasupa@gmail.com. :$17(' Does anyone know anyplace that sells used motor scooter parts in the Lakeside area? Ron. Email: elasupa@gmail.com. FOR SALE: 8 ft stepladder Werner ÂżEHUJODVV SHVRV &HOO 8877. FOR SALE: Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left-handed golf clubs (Tour Edge woods, Mizuno irons, bag, and balls). $3000 pesos. 331-9442955. :$17(' We are seeking a 54 cm road bike, for a family member which will be visiting for 5 days. Prefer to rent, but will consider other (purchase). Email: pwdpwrd@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Geonics EM 16 VLF unit with new crystals from Geonics Toronto. Manual and padded carrier. Many uses in mineral exploration and hydrology. Email: patrickholden2@ gmail.com. FOR SALE: Bed Canopy mosquito QHWWLQJ ÂżWV XS WR NLQJ VL]H EHG
pesos. Email: patrickholden2@gmail. com. FOR SALE: Large traditional black iron Mexican chandelier for foyer or living/dining area, approx. 1 meter wide and high, $2000 pesos, send inquiry to tucantalk@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Whirlpool dishwasher in excellent working condition. Bargain at $130 USD or Peso equivalent. Call 766-1177. FOR SALE: Bosch Gas Cooktop. 28 inch x 20 inch 5 burner cook top, excellent condition. Similar to $900 USD model at Lowes, $1,800 MXP. Will deliver. 333-199-7453. FOR SALE: Weber Q1000 portable BBQ Grill complete with gas tank and all attachments. Electronic push button ignition and full burner control. Plus Weber folding/rolling stand and cover. *RRG FRQGLWLRQ ÂżYH \HDUV ROG DQG LQ regular use. USD $100 or MXN pesos $2,000. Ajijic phone 376-766-1498. FOR SALE: TV boxes with everything needed to watch network TV and most movies using an internet connecWLRQ 6SRUWV UHDO WLPH VWUHDPLQJ 1HWĂ&#x20AC;L[ usually require a subscription. Use like a VCR and watch later for free. Works with TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to and including new 4K models. Works with most keyboards
and mice to function like a PC. $75 & $90 respectively. Setup instruction and support available if needed. Located near San Juan Cosala. 331 547-3129. FOR SALE: Shaw Receivers. DSR630 - $5500p. DSR630 - $5200p. These 2 record 600 - $3000p no box 600 - $2800p. 600 - $2500p. All HD. Email: julieywayne@yahoo.com. :$17(' Looking for a good condition 2 line telephone. This is a telephone that you can connect two telephone number to Sterens had them on sale (model tel-250) and they sold out. Reply here or email: ken.zakreski@ gmail.com or call my one line telephone at 766-1087. FOR SALE: Naturalizer Sandals. Color is â&#x20AC;&#x153;spring denim lea,â&#x20AC;? which is a pretty denim-shirt gray-blue. Style is Cyrus. Sz 7.5 M womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, sling back, rounded, covered toe, leather upper. Wedge with heel height of 1 to 1.25 inches. $800 pesos, paid $64. Email: is4916@e-mail.ph. :$17(' One outdoor chaise cushion. PM me if you have one with details/price etc. Email: lassalvias2005@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: Obus Forme Ergonomic Seat in black, from Amazon. com. Unused in perfect condition. Re-
ceives very good reviews. I paid $40 USD + $17.61 shipping and handling but will not charge for S/H. Asking price $30 USD. Call 376-766-3103 or email arjay333@gmail.com. FOR SALE: House cleaning. 2 pair (4 speakers total) Sony SS-MB350H Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) Top rated by Consumers Reports $75/pr used VG, 1 pair Acoustic Research PS2052 Bookshelf speakers $70 Used, but LN. Make PH DQ Rá&#x201A;&#x2021;HU (PDLO rskryd@gmail.com. FOR SALE: 18 Cubic foot GE refrigerator for sale $4000 pesos. Email: rskryd@gmail.com. FOR SALE: King Size Polyester Fill Duvet Insert. No cover. $600 Pesos. 376-766-3416. :$17(' Want to buy used washing machine in good condition. Electric. Phone Patricia (333) 841-7228 or 7664422. :$17(' Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for a mid to ODUJH VL]HG GHKXPLGLÂżHU RU D VWRUH WKDW sells them, call Ron at 331-717-2437. FOR SALE: Pool cue tips/chalk. 1 package of cue tips & cement (assorted, 11-14mm). 1 package of 3 push on tips (11mm). 1 package of billiard chalk (6). All items made by Viper in their original packages. $65mxn. Please call 765-
5085 or e-mail britkennels@msn.com. :$17(' Looking for outdoor chaise lounge cushion. My light green, Sunbrella fabric lounge chair cushion KDV ÂżQDOO\ ELWWHQ WKH GXVW $P ORRNLQJ for a new one, or gently used one and/ or recommendations as to where to look for one. Email: sandraspencer@ gmail.com.
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El Ojo del Lago / January 2017