El Ojo del Lago by El Ojo del Lago

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

Saw you in the Ojo

Richard Tingen

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: (01376) 765 3676, 765 2877 Fax: (01376) 765 3528 Associate Publisher David Tingen Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Jazmin Eliosa Special Events Editor Kay Davis Associate Editor Jim Tipton Contributing Editors Paul Jackson Henri Loridans Feature Editor Jim Tuck (Honorary) Staff Photographer Xill Fessenden Staff Writers Mildred Boyd Ilse Hoffmann Floyd Dalton Fred C. Dobbs Sales Manager Tania Medina (045) 33 1140 3570 tania.medina@mac.com Office Secretary Iliana Oregel ADVERTISING OFFICE Av. Hidalgo # 223, Chapala Mon. thru Fri. 9am - 5pm Sat. 9am - 1pm Tel. 01 (376) 765 2877, 765 3676 Fax 01 (376) 765 3528 Send all correspondence, subscriptions or advertising to: El Ojo del Lago http://www.chapala.com ojodellago@prodigy.net.mx Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528 PRINTING: Quadrimag S.A. de C.V.

FEATURE ARTICLES

COVER STORY

Alvin Starkman writes about Oaxaca, long considered one of the most culturally rich cities in all of Latin America. It is also the birthplace of Benito Juarez, Mexico’s greatest president.

8 Cover by Ivan White

14 CULTURAL AMBIGUITIES William Franklin writes about what it means to be an American these days. Hint: it isn’t always easy to figure out how Americans feel about America.

20 POETRY William Frayer’s poem in honor of The Day of the Dead.

26 GARDENING HINTS (sort of) Margie Harrell has the reverse of a “green thumb,” whatever that color might be. Seems she has no trouble growing hairs on her chin but plant life in Mexico wants nothing to do with her.

60 LOCAL HISTORY Iris Slocombe writes about something as prosaic as a tree but in relating what it has meant to many poor Mexicans, she gives the old tree the status of a monument.

64 LAKESIDE CELEBRITIES Ed Tasca, one of Lakeside’s most celebrated novelists, has just won the coveted Robert Benchley Society Humor Award for 2009. The award ceremony will take place in Boston. Ed has also of late become a mainstay at the LLT and credits much of his success in both acting and writing to the influence of Yogi Berra.

El Ojo del Lago aparece los primeros cinco días de cada mes. (Out over the first five days of each month) Certificado de Licitud de Título 3693 Certificado de Licitud de Contenido 3117. Reserva al Título de Derechos de Autor 04-2007-111412131300-102 Control 14301. Permisos otorgados por la Secretaría de Gobernación (EXP. 1/432 “88”/5651 de 2 de junio de 1993) y SEP (Reserva 171.94 control 14301) del 15 de enero de 1994. Distribución: Hidalgo 223 Chapala, Jalisco, México. All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Lago. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher or the Editor, nor are we responsible for the claims made by our advertisers. We welcome letters, which should include name, address and telephone number.

COVER STORY

PUBLISHER

Index...

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COLUMNS THIS MONTH 6 7 10 12 16 17 18 28 36 38 50 49 52 53 56 58 65 66 70 71 74

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

LAKESIDE LIVING

z DIRE C TOR Y z

38 MAGNIFICENT MEXICO

VOLUME 26 NUMBER 2

Saw you in the Ojo

GUEST EDITORIAL By Fred Mittag

“Battlefield America”

mericans—20 thousand of them—die each year because they don’t have access to healthcare. This is morally unacceptable. Zarathustra taught 3,000 years ago that the world is a battlefield between Good and Evil, and that we must choose sides, a belief adopted by Judaism and Christianity. Amen. All the western democracies, save one, have universal healthcare as their standard of social justice. In America, insurance companies come between patients and their doctors. They ration health care in order to maximize profits. Father Michael Doyle, a renowned Irish priest, said, “Capitalists should never be allowed near a healthcare system.” More than three-quarters of those bankrupted had medical coverage at the start of their illness, but they lost their insurance after being unable to work. In extended illness, we’re all in the same boat. Don’t even mention preexisting conditions. Insurance profits should not decide when to pull the plug on grandma—or 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan. But big insurance bucks any attempt at reform. Senator Max Baucus alone received $3 million dollars between 2003 and 2008. From Montana, he represents a tiny percentage of Americans, but he nonetheless holds a powerful chairmanship that shepherds the rest of us. Congressional payola buys Insurance companies their ghoulish game boards of profit. Another strategy is to use sound bite propaganda to agitate those who take pride in their ignorance. Dick Armey, the former House Majority Leader, now heads a lobbying group called “Freedom Works.” He produced the official guide for disrupting town hall meetings, including shouting down a woman in a wheelchair. Corporate bowels evacuate lies and propaganda from which idiots sprout like toadstools. One fertilized cretin said at a meeting, “I’m a proud right-wing terrorist.” Representative Wally Herger praised him to loud applause: “Amen, God bless you. There’s a great American.” Seditious words from a congressman, and alarming applause from an audience. The last great American right-wing terrorist was executed as the Okla-

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homa Cit City Bomber Bomber. Glenn Beck said, “This President has exposed himself as a guy, over and over again, who has a deep hatred for white people ....” A number of gun-toting sociopaths (because it’s “their right”) have appeared at Obama speeches. Representative Lynn Jenkins said the GOP needs a “great white hope” to challenge President Obama in the next election. Republican racism begets one Freudian slip after another, an affliction from their infamous “Southern Strategy.” Sarah Palin said that people like her son with Down Syndrome, and her parents, “...could end up before Obama’s ‘death panel’ where bureaucrats would decide if they are worthy of health care.” I have a relative who internalizes the lies and racial smears of Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck as religious faith. She proclaimed that “[liberals] have a huge hatred for normal, conservative, white people.” Good grief!—As opposed to “abnormal, liberal, black people?” Rarely has so much psychosis become the cargo of a short sentence. Paranoia, delusion, and the pathology of racism pierce through the density like signals from the darkness of outer space. Insurance companies exploit lowclass instincts—the greed of congressmen, the fears of brainwashed Neanderthals, and the hate-talk of racism. If a black president talks healthcare reform, he’s a NAZI or a Communist, or something bad. Black is a metaphor for bad. Political toadies on the take, and democracy’s malcontents, are forces of evil. As Harper’s Magazine reports, Republicans have mounted a campaign of lies about Obama’s birth certificate, death panels, rationing of medical care, and cuts in Medicare benefits. Finally, it’s God Bless America vs. corporate profit. Moral principles ordain an American plan that provides healthcare for everybody. May American decency prevail on Zarathustra’s ancient battlefield of Good and Evil. Amen.

By Maggie Van Ostrand

Milo Valenzuela

exico has produced many famous sports figures, either born in Mexico, or born to Mexican parents. I’m talking about legendary sportsmen, like champion golfer Lee Treviño; tennis whiz Pancho Gonzalez; boxer Oscar de la Hoya; Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela; futbol star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Major Leaguer Jorge Cantu. Hall of Fame jockey, Ismael “Milo” Valenzuela, definitely belongs up there with the other greats named above. Though born in Texas, he had lived in Mexico with his parents till he was 14, when he returned to the United States. On September 2, 2009, he died, with words of his beloved profession on his lips. Not once, but twice, and ten years apart, Valenzuela came close to winning Thoroughbred racing’s famed Triple Crown, when he completed the double of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, aboard Tim Tam in 1958, and aboard Forward Pass in 1968. In addition, for over three years, Valenzuela regularly rode super horse Kelso, and the pair won 22 stakes races, to become the Number One money winner in thoroughbred racing history. Kelso won the prestigious Horse

of the Year every one of those years, a feat not even the great Seabiscuit accomplished. Valenzuela was the recipient of a prestigious award himself, named after Seabiscuit’s onetime jockey, the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, for high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack. Milo Valenzuela won 2,545 races before retiring to his home near Santa Anita Park. On June 22, 2008, Valenzuela was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York. However, he was too ill to travel that far, and was inducted in a special ceremony held at Santa Anita Racetrack. One of the famous horses ridden by Valenzuela was Silky Sullivan, who had a habit of coming from far behind to win. Valenzuela must have been remembering Silky, when, as he lay dying, he quipped, “I came from behind enough times, this time I am going to lose.” Like his colleagues in other sports, Valenzuela may no longer be physically with us, but his legend will forever live.

Saw you in the Ojo

The Allure Of Oaxaca By Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.

axaca has two main advantages over other southern destinations for snowbirds and permanent expats. First, you can explore one of the most culturally rich regions in Latin America, and then if the mood strikes, hop a plane, and in 35 minutes be relaxing on a sandy beach sipping margaritas. Second, there is enough of an expat presence in the city to enable a vacationer to spend part of the time with other Anglophones if inclined, and the balance with native Mexicans. Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s southernmost states. Its capital, the city of Oaxaca, has a population upwards of 400,000 brimming with Old World charm. A UNESCO world heritage site, the city and central valleys are filled with pre-Hispanic ruins, 16th century churches, colorful market towns and craft villages, art galleries and museums, and renowned cuisine. In 2006 Oaxaca was named one of the ten most important travel destinations, worldwide. Begin a visit by spending the first couple of days downtown, wandering the zócalo, the city’s central square, lined with outdoor cafés and balconied restaurants. There you’ll soak up the live music of mariachis, marimbas and Latin dance bands. From the street vendors you’ll preview the array of local crafts you’ll have an opportunity to purchase in the villages. Marvel at the exquisite colonial architecture, centuries-old artistic wrought ironwork, and green limestone block construction. Be sure to walk up Calle Garcia Vigil to Los Arquitos, the 18th century aqueduct where you’ll encounter quaint restaurants, dwellings, and a weekend organic market. Down the street drop by the home where the first indigenous president of Mexico, Oaxaca’s own Benito Juarez lived. During his rule, Juarez succeeded in separating church and state, the ultimate marker being his declaration that all church marriages were invalid. The Cathedral at the north end of the zócalo, La Soledad a few blocks west, and Santo Domingo a short walk up the city’s main pedestrian walkway, are the three must-see Dominican churches, in their grandeur

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and refurbished glory. The Santa Domingo Cultural Centre adjoining the church has impressive displays covering various historical periods, well laid out in several halls. The ethno-botanical gardens behind the complex, showcasing cactus, succulents and trees all native to the state, offers an English tour three times weekly. The Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art is the other major museum for both archaeology aficionados and those with an eye for early aesthetics. It represents the collection donated by Tamayo, a grand master of Mexican art and one of the state’s native sons. Oaxaca boasts over 50 galleries and artist studios, representing the fruits of a rich, longstanding tradition. One can easily spend an entire vacation exploring the artistic community. Not a week seems to go by when there is not a new opening, a benefit auction, or an opportunity to stop and chat with an impressive young artist and perhaps get invited to his workshop for a peek at his latest yet unfinished works. About a half hour’s drive outside of the city you’ll be awe-struck by the San Agustín Center for The Arts, with rotating displays, housed in a majestic 19th century textile mill. Then tour the nearby hand-made paper factory. Both are located in a lush, panoramic rural setting, the brainchild of contemporary Oaxacan artist and philanthropist Francisco Toledo. A number of cooking schools have sprung up over the last couple of decades. Novice cooks, seasoned chefs and restaurateurs from around the globe converge on the city to take classes. Internationally acclaimed Oaxacan chef Pilar Cabrera believes it’s important for students to get into the local marketplace where fresh

ingredients are purchased, as part of the learning experience: “I first take my class to the market, where Oaxacans have traditionally bought their ingredients, to teach about the characteristics and variety of foodstuffs, substitutes for produce hard to find back home, and simply as a part of a full immersion cultural experience.” The Zapotecs have been one of the state’s pre-dominant cultures for over 2,000 years, and in many towns and villages remain a strong presence today, with native tongue still spoken. One of the vestiges of Zapotec society is the ruin at Mitla, encountered along the same route. Mitla is unique because of its multi-ton limestone lintels, estimated 100,000 hand carved stones used to form friezes in various geometric designs, the remains of pictographs which tell family genealogies, and its tombs. Mitla is second only to the most noted ruin in the state, Monte Albán, a 15-minute drive from Oaxaca. You can easily spend a full day down the road in Ocotlán. Aside from its Friday market, visit the workshops of the Aguilar sisters who make painted clay figures depicting townspeople in their regional dress, market scenes, biblical stories and amusing sexual images. Their cousin, Apolinar Aguilar, hand-forges knives and cutlery utilizing the 16th century Toledo, Spain technique. He works with only recycled metals and other materials, using a stone and clay hearth. His workshop was enlisted to make the swords used in the 1980s feature film Conan the Barbarian. In the centre of town you’ll have an opportunity to learn about another late great master of Mexican art, Rodolfo Morales. His works are on display in the town museum, and at his Foundation located in his family’s typical courtyard style colonial home. The most impressive example of his work is the large fresco mu-

ral which can be viewed in a government building at one end of the square. While cultural attractions are clearly a major draw to the region, the state is not without sand and surf. The Pacific beach resort towns of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are a short flight or a very scenic drive from the state capital, enabling vacationers to split their holiday time between two distinctly different experiences. After an initial tour of the capital, consider more extended visits as part of a retirement plan. Contact with other Canadians and Americans is easily facilitated through the English language library, one of the largest in the country. Through it one can meet other expats in a relaxed and welcoming environment, and become part of the various outreach programs, card and other game groups, monthly dinner get-togethers, the garden club, frequent excursions, and much more. The allure of Oaxaca is much more than the year round warm climate, modest cost of living and broad range of available activities …it’s the welcoming nature of its people. http://www.oaxacadream.com

Saw you in the Ojo

BRIDGE BY THE LAKE By Ken Masson

hile learning the rudiments of bridge, one of the first “rules” that makes a big impression on most players is that you should lead a singleton against suit contracts in the hope that partner can win an early trick and give you one or more ruffs. With experience, one learns that, as with most rules, there are exceptions. In the diagrammed hand which herself and myself played in a Toronto club, herself (sitting North) opened the proceedings with 1 diamond. East passed and South bid 1 spade. West now entered the auction with a new-fangled bid called a sandwich no trump, showing the two un-bid suits within a distributional and weakish hand. There is no question this hand qualified on both scores but it is doubtful if more than one player in a hundred would dream of joining in the fray vulnerable with what could best be described as an extremely moth-eaten hand. However, the man paid his entry to play and we had to cope as best we could with the interference. Although North had only 3 spades, she did have a ruffing value in hearts so she bid 2 spades. Now East, who had a good hand of his own and must have wondered just how many points there were in this deck, chimed in with 3 hearts. With the boss suit, and seven of them, South jumped straight to game and the contract was played in 4 spades. At most, if not all, tables West led the 8 of diamonds and now the contract could not be defeated. No matter what East returned after winning the Queen, declarer could draw trumps, establish a diamond winner to park a losing club or heart and

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emerge with 10 tricks. In fact, at tables where East won two quick diamonds and tried to give West a ruff, declarer could ruff the third round high, draw trumps and end up with an over-trick! At our table, the defence took a different path. West led the 10 of hearts (top of an interior sequence) and South paused to examine the dummy. There were 4 apparent losers: one heart, two diamonds and one club. However, if the Queen of diamonds was in the West hand, or the opponents didn’t switch to clubs too soon, declarer could see a way to fulfill the contract. The opening lead was won in dummy, trumps were drawn in two rounds and declarer led a diamond to the Jack but, alas, East turned up with the Queen. East now cashed the King of hearts before switching to a club and the contract could no longer be made as another diamond and a club had to be lost. Herself and myself were left to ponder the injustice of receiving a big fat zero through no fault of our own. To add insult to injury, as the opponents left our table, West was heard to ask his partner: ”Would we have done any better if I had led my singleton?” Questions or comments: email: masson.ken@gmail.com

HELPLESS? By Mel Goldberg

fter a stroke left Eddie able to speak but no longer walk or move his left arm, he had to sit in a chair all day while his wife, Alicia, continued to work as an office manager. One day, Eddie leaned too far back in his chair and fell over on his back. Unable to rise, he lay there for several hours until Alicia came home for lunch to check on him. She was too frail to lift him, and the elderly man in the condo next door was no help. The old man snapped his fingers. “Hey, there’s a young woman just moved into the condo next to mine. She looks strong. Maybe she could give us a hand.” He left and returned with a tall, muscular blond woman wearing a tank-top and shorts. She looked at Eddie sitting on the floor, almost in tears. “No problem,” she said. “I work out with weights every day. This’ll

be easy.” She put her hands under Eddie’s armpits, pulled him back toward her until his head rested between her ample breasts. Then she rocked him back and forth as she lifted him as easily as you could lift a five pound bag of flour. When she set him in his chair, he was grinning. Alicia was relieved. “Thanks, uh. ..” “Barbara. Name’s Barbara, and I’m glad to help.” Now, two or three times a week, when Alicia goes to work, Eddie tips himself over and calls Barbara.

Saw you in the Ojo

UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE By Bill Frayer What You Think You Heard Me Say May Not Be Exactly What I Meant!

H H

ow often have you said something which you thought was perfectly clear, only to discover that your listener misunderstood. I remember when my daughter was a teenager, we were resisting putting specific time limits on phone conversations. So I admonished her, “We all need to get telephone calls, so please keep your phone conversations to a ‘reasonable’ length.” Well, you can imagine what happened! Her idea of “reasonable” and mine were not exactly in sync. Language is, by its very nature, ambiguous. Words often have imprecise meanings. If you suggest you had a “good time” at the party, we do not know exactly what you mean. If you suggest to a realtor that you are looking for an “inexpensive” house, she will likely ask you for clarification. And if a friend asks to borrow money for a “little while,” you may not have the same time frame in mind as your friend does. This ambiguity may cause problems with communication. Let’s assume friends have given you directions to their home. “Take the third left off of Santa Margarita,” the directions read. Once you get to Santa Margarita, you start counting possible left turns, and you come to a dirt road which may or may not be considered a legitimate “left.” What do they mean by “the third left?” Is this considered a road or not? My wife and I always confuse each other with the term “next Friday.” If it is a Monday, I think of “next Friday “as a week from this coming Friday, or eleven days away. My wife considers “next Friday” to mean the next Friday we encounter, which would mean what I would refer to as “this Friday,” four days away. As you can see, there is lots of room for misunderstanding! Of course, sometimes people intentionally use ambiguous lan-

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Bill Frayer guage. Advertisers are notorious for this. They will advertise a product as “highly rated.” Well, this is not clear. Who is doing the rating? What criteria are they using? The phrase, by itself, is meaningless. I remember seeing an automobile advertisement several years ago that claimed that the engine in its car was, in reality, a “mechanical symphony.” Sounds good, but its meaning is not clear. Advertisers do not really gain much by being precise. A specific claim can be disputed and get them into trouble. If they claim their toothpaste “prevents” tooth decay, they need to be able to back that up. If they, instead, claim their product “helps prevent” tooth decay, it is impossible to know what proportion of the “help” is provided by the toothpaste. Sometimes we use ambiguous language to spare hurt feelings. If someone we care about has made us a less than delicious homecooked meal, we might simply lie and say it is wonderful. Or we might avoid lying by using ambiguity. “This is a really unique recipe,” or “This dish is very interesting.” In both of these examples, we have used ambiguous language to avoid being precise about our reaction to the meal. There is nothing inherently wrong with ambiguous language. What’s important is that we understand that language tends to be imprecise. So, in conversation, particularly about something important, we need to be sure we are getting an accurate sense of what someone is saying, usually by asking unambiguous questions. What do you mean by “soon?” Can we discuss a specific date? (Next month I’ll examine the problems of ambiguity in public discourse.)

Morning Fog By Mike Mercer

The sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red crescent lightly pierces the fog, Heavy dew on the leaves bow limbs toward the ground. English fog along creeks, waits for the sun to warm it away. As trails wiped by low moving animals cross the grass Noise of life in the distance goes on unseen in the mist I can tell the haze will not give up easily today. Secure, hidden from view, unafraid of things I cannot see. Moving on morning chores, the fog wakes behind me. Steam rises from my coffee cup and settles on my hand The doe and her offspring think they are hidden. If I do not break my stride they will not spook. This is the one time of day I cannot be called upon. Only God knows how sacred this time is to me. Rest and peace that can never be conveyed by word. Today I recognize my reflection in the pond. Sometimes I dare not look in fear a stranger I will see. This moment in life requires no future. The fog hugs me like a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love. She needs nothing in return and leaves me independent. When her mist burns away.

Saw you in the Ojo

By William Franklin williamfranklin@cox.net

know we all love America. Even I love America. It is Americans we don’t like. That is to say, I don’t think we like each other very much. Whereas our geography and its flag are way up there in my estimation, what resides between the borders comes up short and disappointing. Of course I don’t like thinking this and so I thought I’d put myself to the “Do I Like Americans Test?” and so here it is. One of my favorite Americans is my daughter. She’s a first rate American. She’s 27 which is an excellent age for anyone, not just our citizens. Her cultural heroes are comedians. She likes Jon Stewart and Bill Maher. But more than anything, she seems to like Facebook. She’s always looking thru it with a kind of zeal that frightens me. That’s because I think of Facebook as one big collection of illustrated biographies which aren’t about anyone famous. They’re about just anyone and I don’t know why that’s interesting. When I was young I read about Genghis Khan and Robert E. Lee. Those guys were worth a biography. Or I’d read the Christmas letter if I wanted to know about family members. We had a circular letter that made it to California from time to time and every few years it was our turn to keep it going. We’d try to include a few rites of passage (to make it look like Californians were as serious and capable as anyone

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else) and lists of the mundane things you try never to put in an obituary, and we’d send it along, hoping we’d avoid criticism while subtly apologizing for being city people and not working 20 hours a day on a farm anymore. But while I don’t trust Facebook (somehow I think it’s taking pictures of me when I go to the store), I don’t think I should include it as the cause of why Americans are upset with each other. So if I had to hazard a why-we’re-pissed guess, I’d say it’s because we’ve become a nation of have-nots. And what I don’t think we have is religion. I know we’ve got bunches of buildings with crosses and things but I think we’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’ and it’s gone, gone, gone. Now I don’t happen to have good religious credentials. For tons of reasons I haven’t liked anything supernatural (though I do love 3D movies), still, I’ve always been a sucker for great religious stories. Although I didn’t want him to, I was always secretly glad that Jesus died for my sins. I like that he died for everyone’s sins.

If I had been there, good sportsmanship would have required me to say, hey Good Bro, don’t go up there for me. Let’s find a lamb or something as this is way over the top, but (thank God), I wasn’t there. But if I had been there, that’s what I would have had to say. It would have been chicken not to. But because of this great story, this heroic Jesus (and this touches me every time I think about it), the ultimate Unfairness Doctrine was introduced to human events. It’s unfair because he gets the enhanced interrogation technique

of his day and age, and I’m doing the Tennessee waltz, thinking about what kind of people I think should have health care, and trying to put one over on myself and come up with a case for an afterlife. Now I think Americans, who’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’ and that now are gone, gone, gone, should maybe think about that great story. We should remember that he didn’t look like us, didn’t dress like us, certainly didn’t think like us, and was for all intents and purposes, the Ultimate Outsider. But He had, bless his heart, what we have not.

Saw you in the Ojo

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

see another stockade of slurs has been launched against the likes of famed Hollywood sceenwriter Bud Schulberg and the world-class director Elia Kazan. Even in death these immensely talented individuals are allowed no peace from demeaning and denigrating insults. Schulberg and Kazan confessed to being former members of the Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) and were called to testify before the House on Un-American Activities and “named names” of fellow Communists. For this noble act of patriotism they are forever painted as pariahs in the pantheon of Hollywood. But let’s face the truth for once. The avowed aim of CPUSA was the overthrow of the democratically elected government of the U.S.A. “by violent means if necessary.” Here we are talking about the governments of Democrats Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Back at the home of world communism, the Soviet Union, to which CPUSA was committed, dictator Josef Stalin in the 1930s purposely starved to death an estimated 10 million Ukrainian men, women and children, and right up to the start of the Second World War, it was estimated between 20% and 30% of Soviet residents were in slave labor camps. The American Left and the Hollywood elite ignored these

Paul Jackson

abominations. Virtually on the eve of the Second World War in Summer 1939, German Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and Stalin engineered the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact that handed over to Moscow the independent nations of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, gave Moscow a slice of Poland and a slab of Romania, and a free hand to invade tiny Finland. Again, the American Left and the Hollywood elite ignored these betrayals of innocent peoples. In 1944, the Soviet Union’s forces raced across Eastern Europe and added to its enslaved nations such countries as Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and East Germany. Tens of millions of innocent citizens were shipped to the gulags. Yet again, the American Left and the Hollywood elite were quiet. Then, in 1945, cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko fled from the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, and revealed that far from being a trusted ally of the Western democracies, Moscow had established a worldwide net of espionage cells in the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and other countries in order to subvert and sabotage these nations and bring them under Communist rule. Treachery, from Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to Alger Hiss, and from Kim Philby to Sir Anthony Blunt, was revealed. Once again, the American Left and Hollywood’s elite turned a blind eye. OK, not all were devious, some were just duped, and not all were nefarious. Some were just naive. But not so the likes of Schulberg and Kazan. They decided to tell America—and the world—the truth. For this, the American Left and the Hollywood elite refuse to forgive them. Personally, I stand with the likes of Schulberg and Kazan on the side of democracy and decency, rather than dictatorship and deceit. I hope you do, too.

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

The Annual Harvest Fair

CÁ’s Annual Harvest Fair echoes my New England days of country fairs, farm stands and autumn leaves. Blue skies, pleasant breezes, warm smells of growing things, a place to sit under the trees, live music, a few beers and contemplating one more bowl of chili—what is better than that in this life? This year the fair is on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the ACÁ Eco Training Center and organic farm in Jaltepec. Admission is 50 pesos, children free. Along with the usual treats of fresh corn on the cob dipped in butter and fresh homemade salads with ACÁ’s organic Great Greens, there will be a chili train, where you can buy different regional styles of chili cooked by local charities and vote for your favorite. Finally, you can top off the day by consuming and voting for your favorite among the homemade desserts. There will be more ecological activities and exhibits than ever before, featuring the Green Group, Ajijic Limpio, Amigos del Lago, solar exhibits, honeybees and more. Arts and crafts people including indigenous groups from all around Lake Chapala will be showing and selling their work. ACÁ is the place to go to buy all kinds of organically grown salad

greens and vegetables, as well as organic salad dressings, jams, teas and other goodies. You’ll find these at the Great Greens store just inside the entrance. Information about ACÁ and its mission is also available at the store, and you can buy memberships that support ACÁ and give you a discount on produce. The store is open all year, M-F 9-5, Sat 9-1. Directions: Head west from Ajijic on the carretera, continue past the fish restaurants along the lake, go through San Juan Cosala, then go 2.3 kms. and look for the parked cars and signs on the right. Parking extends all along the carretera. Car pool if you can, or go by bus; just tell the driver “Jaltepec” and he will let you off at the Fair entrance. Don’t miss: Bus Tours of Guadalajara “abastos” wholesale markets: 10/07, 11/19. Tickets: 200 pesos in advance at the ACÁ Eco Center, Diane Pearl Gallery or from Berta on the Patio at LCS. Upcoming Eco Talks at the Lake Chapala Society Gazebo 12-2: 10/01 Permaculture with Sueki; 10/08 Fall herbal bouquets and garlands; 10/13 Rancho Chimalli; 10/20 Boosting Your Immune System with Doc McGee; 10/27 Green Cleaning Solutions. Learn more at www.greatgreens. org. Questions? Email acaecotalks@gmail.com.

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

Lessons From Chickens

ometimes, on our journey in life, we come upon stories that really tickle our fancy. Usually we laugh and by the next day the story is mostly forgotten. Once in a while—for some reason—one such story just will not go away and stays with us long after we heard it. Here’s one that didn’t go away for me. A man was driving along a rural road one day when he saw a threelegged chicken. He was amused enough to drive alongside it for a while, as he was driving he noticed the chicken was running 30 mph. Pretty fast chicken, he thought, I wonder just how fast it can run. So he sped up and the chicken did too! They were now moving along the road at 45 mph! The man in the car sped up again. To his surprise the chicken was still running ahead of him at 60 mph!

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Suddenly the chicken turned off the road and ran down a long driveway leading to a farmhouse. The man followed the chicken to the house and saw a man in the yard and dozens of three-legged chickens. The man in the car called out to the farmer, “How did you get all these three-egged chickens?” The farmer replied, “I breed ‘em. Ya see it’s me, my wife and my son living here and we all like to eat the chicken leg. Since a chicken only has two legs, I started breeding this three-legged variety so we could all eat our favorite piece.” “That’s amazing!” said the driver. “How do they taste?” “Don’t rightly know,” said the farmer. “We can’t catch ‘em.” If you’re like me, you begin to wonder: “Can that story teach us something about ourselves? Is this

about our quest to change things regardless of the consequences? Is it about how we try to make things better only to find out that there’s a flaw somewhere? I wonder if it may be both! At first I thought the story might have a lot in common with all the economic struggles we have today. Could the story’s point possibly be linked to our endless quest for change? Not satisfied with what we have, we try every means to change things that aren’t broke. Then I thought- maybe it’s like our quest for more and more, and our determination to modify things whether they need it or not—like adding 15 new models of the same automobile while not paying attention to the real problem of higher purchase prices and near- impossible operational costs. That goes for a lot of things we see happening in government that simply sound good but often can add layers of bureaucracy that have no reason for their existence. I think this story has some deeper meaning in our religious lives as well. Maybe we ran faster and faster down the wrong roads of “comfortable-ship” rather than “discipleship” and the truth of the original story

and its message got lost somehow. Today, our places of worship may look more like “come-to” churches than “go to” churches in the sense of missions and outreach. Instead of changing what we have, maybe we should be reaching out to share with others. The message of the threelegged chicken story says to me… sometimes changing things that appear to be a good thing at the time can make it more difficult in the long run. What’s the use of breedin’ three-legged chickens if you can’t catch em?’ Shalom!

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YOUR SEPIA FACE By Bill Frayer (In honor of the Day of the Dead)

our sepia face stares soberly at me From another day, distant from this evening, Adorned with marigold blossoms And relics of your time among us, Which proves to me that you were here And lived to taste the sour fruits of life And cried sweet tears for love of those Who remain, remembering your presence here. And as I gaze at your framed, faded image On your vibrant altar, fragrant with breath, I imagine my family, now long gone Who live largely forgotten, no

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color enveloping Their likenesses with warm, living flowers, Photographs which remain, unexamined, vaguely recalled, In a dark box waiting for those who knew them To pass into the obscurity of memory themselves, Rendering them forever unremembered. You are lucky to remain among the breathing A bit longer, perhaps to remind us all To look into your sepia face Reflecting our humble fate.

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WORDS FOR WOMEN TO LIVE BY

. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything. 2. If the shoe fits buy them in every color. 3. Take life with a pinch of salt... A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila. 4. In need of a support group? Cocktail hour with the girls! 5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I’m on it and so far I’ve lost 15 days). 6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it. 7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality. 8. I know I’m in my own little world, but it’s ok. They know me here. 9. Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself. 10. Don’t get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny. 11. When life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka. 12. Remember. Wherever there is a good-looking, sweet, single or married man, there is some woman

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tired of his bullshit! 13. Keep your chin up; only the first 40 years of parenthood are hard. 14. If it has Tires or Testicles, it’s gonna give you trouble. 15. By the time a woman realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she’s wrong. ‘Good friends are like stars......... You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there’. ‘Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today’. Now smile and send to any woman wasting time at work, or just suffering from work, who might need a reason to smile! Live...Laugh...Love!

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ANUBIS—God A NU U B IS S—God o of fR Rebirth e b i r th h A Fable by Allen McGill

he roamed slowly, starving amid the crowds, picking up scraps where and when she could find them. But need burned in her, hunger both of the body and of her un-fed soul. Without love, a dog cannot live. As the days passed she grew weaker, drifting farther away from the busy clatter of the central city. She was a puppy still and could not understand why she had been flung away, rejected, unwanted. She had learned not to attempt to return. Stones and kicks had convinced her of that. Endless days passed as she wandered farther from the home that was no longer hers. As her strength ebbed, she stopped more and more often to rest, panting in the small patches of shade not claimed by others. It would not be much longer when she would slide into death with no one to care. She came to a street that seemed quieter than most. She rose slowly to pad along it, seeking silence. Toward the end was a building where she could rest in the shade. Drawn by the scent of cooking, she eased her gaunt body through the open doorway. She barely remembered the taste of food. Oblivious to her watching eyes, a priest laid offerings upon a low altar. Then his sandals scuffed away across the brick floor. With an eye on the door and an ear alert for returning steps, she fell upon the food, bolted it down with desperation. The bowl of milk was lapped well beyond the last drops having been drawn. She sat back, satiated, panting. The powerful one, the priest, reentered, a God drawn by the sound of his altar being desecrated. He stood, gazing down at the tiny blasphemer, looking into the eyes of the pup that looked timidly up at him. In her short life, she had learned fear, but she felt none now. This powerful one was different, she sensed. Though his body might be human, his head was like hers, eyes filled with surprising kindness. Anubis, Lord of the Dead, read her history in one encompassing glance. He looked into the brown eyes lifted so hopefully to his. In them he read more, a pride, a digni-

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ty not yet destroyed. Heart, hunger and hope, belief in a life as yet unjustified. The desire to live surged like a clear flame in this abused daughter. Anubis shrugged. He was the God of Death; what did he have to do with Life? Still, compassion stirred within the Jackal-headed deity. She was kin, the small one who stared up at him with hesitant trust. Of what extent was his power if now and again he could not use it as he wished. His hands reached out to gather the helpless creature in his arms. The puppy had fallen asleep, dreaming, as he studied her. His fingers stroked the mutilated tail, slid down the short, weak bowed legs. He caressed the ragged ears, the thin flanks. He lifted a hand above the stirring form. It would please him to do this, to reverse the fate of this living being with his power, to give life instead of death. He smiled and spoke softly: “I give you pride and the heart of the desert wind, little daughter. I give you beauty without, that my worshipers shall see the beauty within. These gifts shall be yours and your children’s so long as the winds still blow across desert sands.” He watched the transformation of the girl-pup with warm pleasure. It would not do to have her stay here. But a God knows the hearts of his people. He knew of a man who would love this new child of Anubis, and sent her there to lie sleeping before the household shrine, to be found by man who would cherish her for the first time and throughout her life. And cherished she was. Daughter of the desert wind and the hunt, change-child of a God. She endowed the world with strong sons and fleet daughters. At first they had no name but later it would be known. They were the Saluki, the favored of Anubis, and a hundred lands would pay honor to her breed.

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GARDENING G ARDENING 101 101 By Margie Harrell

t’s not from lack of trying but I just don’t seem to be able to grow anything. Plants that grow wild in the fields shrivel at my mere gaze. Gift roses I have received that are flushed with life wilt and die overnight. I seem to have no trouble growing unwanted hairs on my chin, brown spots on my arms and warts on my legs but plant life wants nothing to do with me. I come from a family of growers but none of their talents seem to have been passed on to me. After studying my dilemma I have come to the conclusion that it’s all in the watering. When the pansies start to float down the driveway it’s time to rethink the irrigation. Apparently plants aren’t in need of a drink three times a day. Who knew? Hubby spent a fortune over the years replacing trees and shrubs I had “lovingly” tried to nurture. I even tried talking to them but all I got back was dead silence. No pun intended. When I moved to Mexico with its endless flora I was sure I would be able to learn the secrets of gardening. My casa had a walled back yard with a banana tree that must have been ten feet tall. It was beautiful but . . . it died a month after we met. Honestly, I never laid a hand on it. Well, maybe just a few coffee grounds on the roots once in a while. Someone told me plants love them but apparently mine didn’t. When the gardener asked what had happened I pointed to the cat and said, “bad gato.”

Years ago I decided to take the bulb by the root and I enrolled in a gardening class at my local college. By the end of the course I think my instructor was on medication. As I repeatedly asked him what the difference was between peet moss and potting soil, he was reduced to just rolling his eyes. Did you know there is a right and a wrong way to plant the lowly onion? Mine never did sprout and at graduation I was the only one who didn’t get to take fresh vegetables home. As a thank-you gift for their stay with me in Mexico, my family gave me a beautiful terra cotta pot for the patio. They stocked it with all sort of succulants, which is another way of saying easy-to-carefor. The highlight of my afternoon cocktail hour was to sit and take in the beauty of their gift. It warmed my heart, for about four weeks until it bit the dust. I’m sure those darn cacti knew the minute the gardeners in the family had left town. As I approached them, watering can in hand, they took the easy way out. Later I put a tray on the top of the pot and used it as a mini bar. To someone who always thought having a green thumb meant you were loaded, I now leave the gardening to the more gifted. Plastic flowers are just dust collectors so I have settled for enjoying my neighbors’ gardens, from a distance of course. Still, there are days when I long for a basket of cascading blooms hung from the rafters of the patio but for now it is but a dream. In the meantime I have joined my local Garden Club. I wonder if they have ever heard of Typhoid Mary? Wish me luck.

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

One Breath at a Time

here’s probably not a person alive who isn’t familiar with AA and the 12-step program. It’s been around since 1935 and has been phenomenal in its success, helping millions of alcoholics and addicts achieve and maintain sobriety. Some people, however, struggle with its wording or its JudeoChristian slant and might appreciate a slightly different approach. Kevin Griffin is author of One Breath at a Time, a book presenting a Buddhist slant on the classic format. I’d like to share his version of the 12 steps. For those saying, “I don’t have a drinking or drug problem,” don’t stop reading just yet. We’re all in recovery from something, even if it’s just the bumpy road of life. This can be a path of healing and growth for us all. Step One—The surrender of old ideas of who we are. To become our best self, we must break out of limiting concepts of who we are and what we think is possible. We must look into the darkness of our soul and accept our shadow before we can attain an honest and authentic life. Steps Two and Three—Acknowledge a Higher Power and turn over your will to that Power. While there is a Christian inclination in the Twelve Step Program, there is room for personal interpretation of God and different spiritual paths including the teachings of Buddhism, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Steps Four and Five—Make an inventory of all the hurt you have caused and share that list with another person, such as a sponsor. The Buddha says that recognizing and admitting our mistakes and setting an intention to do better in the future is the way to grow as spiritual beings. Steps Six and Seven—Willingness to change and perform the actions that allow for that change. The Buddha teaches, “We are a process; we are possibilities; and we constantly change.” Sobri-

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ety is finding a new way of living that involves engagement where there was withdrawal, generosity where there was self-centeredness, community where there was isolation, joy where there was bitterness, and trust where there was cynicism. Steps Eight and Nine—Make a list of those you have harmed and make amends to them, as long as it doesn’t cause harm. It takes a strong person to admit his shortcomings, and by making amends we gain authenticity as a person. Step Ten—An ongoing personal inventory of misled behavior. This step isn’t about guilt and shame, but rather a freeing of energy and a guidepost for growth. Compassion is a foundational concept in healing and growing, as well as a base for most spiritual paths, and it begins with the self. Step Eleven—Prayer and meditation. It is important to face our thoughts and cultivate mindfulness. Our connection to our inner life nourishes our soul and guides our outer life. Meditation makes it possible to see your thoughts more clearly so as to consciously decide how to respond to them. Step Twelve—Service. To serve others and to show compassion is a central theme in the Twelve Steps as well as Buddhism. It continues us on our spiritual path as well as helping others in time of need. Griffin’s ideas are just one more approach among many paths to sobriety. I’ve collected numerous versions of alternative step programs, and would love to hear from you if there is interest to read about some others as well. Editor’s Note: Joy is a practicing psychotherapist in Riberas. She can be contacted at joy@dunstan.org or 765-4988.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ear Sir: It was with great interest that I read your article “Gossip Mongering”, printed in the September issue of El Ojo Del Lago. Presently, a dear friend of mine is the subject of malicious gossip and deliberate false rumors that malign her character while accusing her of illegal activity. Not only are the accusations untrue but the cowardly author of these vicious lies chooses to spread them by making anonymous posts in public venues. As you stated in your article, this type of behavior is nothing short of criminal yet the devious way in which it is being done makes prosecution nearly impossible. That being said, I agree with you that when encountering such nastiness, we can each in our own way make a choice about how we react. We can choose to believe the rumors, and /or relish in the discomfort of the subject. However, I would ask that people choose two other paths. First, consider that the author of the rumors is him/herself the one whose

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behavior and character is suspect and secondly, put yourself in the place of the person who is the subject of attack. As I observe how this affects my friend I am well aware how easily this can happen to anyone of us. The Dalai Lama, one of the most beautiful souls to walk this earth once said “If you can, help others, if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them”. Our reputations are a precious and fragile thing and we would do well to protect our own and one another’s. Ellie McEvoy Calle Santa Isabel Riberas Del Pilar

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RATHER CONFUSING SIGNS IN ENGLISH

n a Bangkok temple: IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN. Cocktail lounge, Norway: LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR. Doctors office, Rome: SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES. Dry cleaners, Bangkok: DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS. In a Nairobi restaurant: CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER. On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi: TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE. On a poster at Kencom: ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO

WE CAN HELP. In a City restaurant: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS. In a cemetery: PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES. Tokyo hotel’s rules and regulations: GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIORS IN BED. On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR. In a Tokyo bar: SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS. Hotel, Yugoslavia: THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID. Hotel in Zurich: BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE. Ad for donkey rides, Thailand: WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS? Airline ticket office, Copenhagen: WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS. A laundry in Rome: LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.

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A RESPONSE TO THE MUIR ARTICLE By Mel Goldberg en una prisión S e atrapan de su propia fabri-

“

cación” Jim Muir’s article (“The Microcosm of a Nation,” Ojo del Lago, September 2009, page 70),condemns Elie Wiesel’s silence as hypocritical and berates Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. Mr. Muir is either ignorant of history or chooses to ignore it to support his mistaken comments. Nor does he understand the terms he uses. Perhaps Elie Wiesel does not condemn Israel because the country is not guilty of the Mr. Muir’s erroneous charges. Mr. Muir’s first charge is ethnic cleansing. The term means the mass expulsion and killing of one ethnic or religious group by another, such as what happened in the former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda. But Israel did not remove the Arabs. The Arabs fled because other Arab governments told them to evacuate while the Arab armies “drive the Jews into the sea.” Arab refugee status has been caused by Arab governments who failed in their genocidal war against the Jews. If Arab Palestinians admit

they fled voluntarily, their claim to be victims of Israel becomes an invention. Mahmoud Abbas (President of the Palestinian National Authority), wrote, “The Arab armies...forced them to emigrate and to leave their homeland, and threw them into prisons similar to the ghettos in which the Jews used to live.” Khaled al’Azm (Prime Minister of Syria in 1949), wrote, “We have brought destruction upon a million Arab refugees, by calling upon them...to leave their land, their homes, their work and business...” Had there been no invasion by Arab armies against the Jews, there would be no Arab refugees and the

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problems of the region since would not have occurred. The U.N. Resolution 181 divided Palestine into a Jewish Palestinian State and an Arab Palestinian State. The Jewish Palestinians accepted the proposal, but the Arab Palestinians rejected it, maintaining their desire to obliterate the state of Israel. During the Rhodes Armistice talks and Lausanne conference in 1949, Israel offered to return captured land in exchange for a formal peace. Israel allowed Arab refugees to re-settle in Israel provided they renounce violence and swear allegiance to the state of Israel. More than 150,000 Arab refugees accepted and now lead productive lives in Israel. And there have always been Israeli Arab members of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). These charges of dispossession, torture, economic deprivation, and humiliation of the Palestinian People are fatuous. They are imaginary cudgels with which to beat Israel. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Mr. Muir refers to it as an ethnocracy, another example of his failure to understand his terms. An ethnocracy is characterized by legal, institutional, and physical control when the dominant group constitutes a minority of the population,

like South Africa, where democratic participation was for the dominant group only. Such is not the case in Israel. As one example, when the Central Elections Committee attempted to ban the participation of the two Arab parties, United Arab List-Ta’al and Balad, for alleged support of Israel’s enemies, the ban was overturned by the Israeli Supreme Court by a vote of 8 to 1. Are we now to feel sympathy for the Arabs who call them selves Palestinians? Their suffering could have ended, but their leaders refused, and contributed to their destitution by stealing millions and fighting among themselves. Imagine this scenario. A Jewish family and an Arab family share a dwelling owned by a Christian, who abandons the house. The Arab neighbors threaten to kill the Jewish family, and tell the Arab family to leave and to return after the Jewish family has been annihilated. But the Arab neighbors fail in their numerous attempts, and leave the poor Arab family homeless. Apparently Mr. Muir expects the Jewish family to be compassionate to the people who have sworn to wipe them from the face of the earth every day for the past sixty years. Would you? www.authormelgoldberg.com

THE E-CIG AND I By Mildred Boyd

hen my daughters and my doctor started discussing the advisability of my trying an e-cigarette, I, having never heard of such a thing, looked at them in utter confusion. What they were describing sounded straight out of science fiction and far too good to be true. Either they were playing a cruel joke or they had lost their collective minds. Or had some genius actually invented a device that would allow me to give up tobacco yet still enjoy all the pleasures of smoking? A little research on the web (just type in “e-cig”) proved that, judging from the number on the market, many people had! None use tobacco, produce tars or carcinogens or emit smoke, first or second hand. They usually consist of a slim, rechargeable battery and a converter unit which holds the cartridge containing moisture, flavorings and varying amounts of nicotine. Cartridges are available in menthol, vanilla and (ugh!) several fruit flavors. Together, converter and cartridge make up the holder, complete with mouthpiece. Starter kits also include a charger for the batteries. Some have a pocket version much the size and shape of a cigarette pack for travelers. Air movement through the device activates a heater which vaporizes the flavored liquid in the cartridge. Ideally, when one draws on the e-cig, and only then, the tip glows red and vapor emerges, producing the illusion of a lighted cigarette. My first model looks very much like the fat cigarette in a long holder flourished by movie stars of the twenties and thirties. Newer versions are slimmer and look so much the real thing that you are advised to choose any color but white. Otherwise, you’ll probably find yourself thrown out of

non-smoking areas on your ear every time you take a puff. Admittedly, I was still skeptical. I have smoked for 72 of my 88 years. Could kicking so entrenched a habit be that easy? No way! Then I took that first puff and, amazingly, I haven’t missed tobacco at all. Neither do I miss smelly, overflowing ashtrays, small holes burned in clothes, carpets, furniture (and sometimes in me) nor a house and wardrobe smelling strongly of stale tobacco smoke. Nor am I at all unhappy not to pay the outrageous prices due to sin-taxes imposed on tobacco products. Furthermore, I am no longer the pariah I was. I can enjoy my e-cigarette in all the forbidden places. Or so they promise. I have not yet had the nerve to put it to the acid test of shopping malls, airplanes and restaurants filled with militant non-smokers. A few caveats: 1. The FDA has, so far, refused to approve e-cigarettes. 2. A few countries have banned them entirely because some tested brands show trace amounts of harmful chemicals, so check before you buy. 3. Some are poorly designed and easily broken. Again, check carefully. 4. Don’t expect miracles. E-cigs may not work for everyone. As for me, I am perfectly content to be a non-smoker!

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Welcome to Mexico! By Victoria Schmidt

Shopping in Mexico

confess, I was born without the shopping gene. When we lived in the USA, if it couldn’t be ordered online and delivered to my door, I didn’t buy it. For me, shopping is an endless, glamour less, thankless job that has got to be done. I found no joy cruising parking lots in search of the illusive parking space, battling crowds, or standing in checkout lanes. Online shopping saved me. I could sit at home, in my PJ’s at 3:00 a.m. and place my grocery order for delivery the next afternoon. But now that I live in Mexico I’ve had to get used to shopping in person. When I started shopping here, I went to the grocery stores, and found small selections of items. Instead of a block-long isle with every conceivable type of cereal ever imagined, there was a small isle with

a few basic selections. Shopping in grocery stores in the United States you could choose between about 300 varieties of cereal, or ketchup in huge, large, small or sample sizes. Here in the Mexican stores, there seem to be two sizes: small and smaller. Back in the good old USA, the professional marketers take everything into account: the store layout, the lighting, and accessibility. Never, ever in the USA would you find the bakery section next to the fresh fish. It just would never happen. And merchandise was rarely moved around inside the stores. I could find

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Minute Rice in my old store with my eyes closed. Here? It is always a guess. It was in isle 3 last week, and in isle 5 this week…if it is in stock at all. Stock? That is a completely different topic. I’ve learned to be very flexible with “brand names.” For those of you who don’t live in Mexico all year long, you probably don’t know that we can only buy certain items during the “high” season. And speaking of seasons, we all know that you can only get good prices on certain items when they are “in season.” I just was surprised to learn that ice cream has a “season” here. Now some may read this and see this as complaining. No, not really. Because as time has gone on, I’ve been able to understand a few things, and I’ve been embarrassed when I figured them out. First, it is a very sad statement on our lifestyle in the USA that we even have 300 kinds of cereal. Do we really need 300 different kinds of cereal? Our grocery stores there are a testament to excess. Packaging was my next discovery. I couldn’t understand why they only had small packages available in the stores. There I was, thinking like an American. Then I saw a Mexican mother

walk into our small abarrotes, and ask to buy two disposable diapers. Not two boxes, two diapers. Then it hit me—so many of the Mexicans can’t afford to buy food and household goods in large quantities. With an average daily wage of $53 pesos per day, many can only afford to buy what they need for that day. Some days they can afford no food at all. Suddenly shopping seems more like a privilege.

Victoria Schmidt

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Phone: (376) 765-3676 (Ojo office for message – I’ll call back) Email: kdavis987@gmail.com Events are listed by date, like a calendar: past events, then those planned for the future. Some organizations offer multiple events or dates, and these items appear toward the end of the column. In August Galeria Dos Lunas celebrated their grand opening at Colon #13 in Ajijic, featuring Enrique Loza, nationally known artist. A wine and cheese reception was well attended. Other artists shown included Carolina Owers, Christie Paine, Adry del Recio and Linda Kauffmann as well as sculptures and other artworks. The Naked Stage opened A pastel by Enrique Loza in September at 3A Calle de Zaragoza one block west of Colon. The production featured Lakeside Theater buffs reading off-beat, provocative plays. The opener was Shock of Recognition by Robert Anderson and The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel. The first is a comedy about a playwright who convinces his producer to put a male actor on stage with full frontal nudity. The second play tells of a bunch of aging, saucy prostitutes hanging on during an economic downturn. The Naked Stage is the brainchild of Jeritza McCarter and Betty Lloyd Robinson. On October 5, 6:30 p.m., there will be a fundraising dinner at Universidad Tecnica en Hoteleria de Jaltepec. Cocktail music by Tim Welch. Tickets $350 pesos. Linda Buckthorp at 766 – 1631 or buckthorp@laguna.com.mx. ACÁ has changed their Annual Harvest One Lady from The Fair to October 17 – 18. This year other charities have an opportunity to earn additional fundOldest Profession ing, as follows: charities man one of five positions of a Chili Train at various locations. During the US Civil War, Confederate soldiers traveled north from the Rio Grande. Along the way they ate Chili con Carne. In the south it was Carne en su Jugo. The farther north, the more ground meat, like Texas style chili; then kidney beans were added, and later celery, mushrooms and other beans. Today there are chicken and vegetarian chilis. What is needed is for gourmet chili makers to sponsor a chili, net proceeds to allot from om their chosen charity. Judging will be by ballot fair attendees. For $50 pesos ACÁ will sell tickets/ballots for a taste test. Wendee Hilll at acacentroecologico@gmail.com. d On October 24 – 25, 10 – 3, a yard 8, 8, sale will be conducted at Ocampo 9 98, iji jc Seis Esquinas (Six Corners) in Ajijic for the Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon. Donations are needed: household items, clothing, books, any-

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

thing that does not rot or need to be fed. They can be dropped off or picked up. Call 766 – 1167 to arrange a time. Proceeds to buy blankets and medicine for the Tarahumara go to Complejo Asistencial Clinica Santa Teresita, AC. Lakeside Women presents an all-new Women’s Health & Beauty Fair on Tuesday, October 27, 9 – 3:30 at the Hotel Real de Chapala, La Floresta. The morning will provide professional health information, followed by lunch, then a fun, instructive afternoon about clothing and hairstyles. There’ll also be a silent auction, bake sale and information booths. Tickets are $300 pesos each, available at Diane Pearl’s on Colon, Actinver-Lloyd, Ajijic, and LCS from October 19 to 24. To reserve a seat or a table (8 or 10), call Kari Higgins at 766-3651. All proceeds will be donated to Villa Infantil, Ninos Incapacitados, Cruz Roja and the Tarahumara Project. Further information about speakers and topics will be provided on www.lakesidewomen.org. October 29 is the Cruz Roja Golf Tournament at the Chapala Country Club. Contact Norm Pifer pifernr@gmail.com. November 7 – 30 at the Jocotopec Culture Center, there will be an art exhibition entitled REVOLUTION: Revolutionary Works by local Artists & Poets. Participating artists are Jesus Lopez Vega and Antonio Lopez Vega from Ajijic, Francisco Gonzalez from Chapala, and Isidro Xilonxochitil (Xilotl) and C. DePaul Durham from San Juan Cosalá. The poets will be Mario Puglisi, Siara Nuno, Rodolfo Pulque and Judy Dykstra-Brown. Call (387) 761 – 0813. On November 10 Lakeside School for the Deaf is featuring the 5th Annual Fashion Extravaganza “Everything Old is New Again.” Location and other details will appear next month. Now they seek donations of top designer and good quality women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, purses, and jewelry. All donated items will be auctioned off during an elegant luncheon, proceeds to supply hearing aids for over 35 children and to support the school in Jocotepec. To arrange pickup of clothing and accessories, contact either Leslie Martin at 766 – 2274, lesliemartin77@hotmail.com or Coco Wonchee at (045) 333-1060585, s_wonchee@yahoo.com. Clean, ready to wear items are needed, preferably by November 2 for pricing. Cece Girling will coordinate this show. On November 14, at 6 p.m., Helen Zerefos, Order of Australia Medalist, will appear as guest at an open air dinner and concert at the Chapala Train Station for the benefit of Centro de Formacion Jaltepec, the Tecnico Universitario Superior en Hoteleria. Proceeds will go towards improving facilities so ladies can be invited to attend daily classes. Helen Zerefos is a multi-award winning soprano. To reserve tickets or a table for the dinner/concert, call Linda Buckthorp at 766 – 1631, buckthorp@laguna.com.mx. Tickets are $550 pesos per person. On November 21, 22, 28 & 29 at Sol y Luna, Rio Bravo #19 in Ajijic, there will be Always...Patsy Cline, presented by My, My, How Nice! Productions. This will be the production company’s inaugural offering. The show has been a smash, one of the most actively produced shows in the world. The unforgettable Patsy Cline will be brought to life by Patteye Simpson, last seen as Kate in LLT’s Kiss Me Kate. Musical direction and accompaniment will be by Tim Welch, the Maestro of Los Cantantes del Lago. Jayme Littlejohn, plays Texan Louise Seeger in the true story of her chance meeting with Patsy Cline, an encounter that grew into a close friendship which lasted until Patsy Cline’s tragic death. The story features Patsy Cline’s best: I Fall to Pieces, Crazy, Seven Loney Days... and more. Part of the proceeds will benefit CREM/Golden Strings. Show times are 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 4 p.m., bar open one hour in advance. Tickets will be available at Diane Pearl Colecciones, and at Pedro’s Gourmet, or email mxpatsy@ gmail.com. The American Legion post #7 schedule for October: Sundays, all month: 12 – 3 p.m. Legion Grill (burgers, beans, salad) Oct 2 – 8 a.m. – 1 pm. Yard Sale Oct 3 – 4 p.m. Oktoberfest Oct 5 – 11 a.m. Legion Executive Board Meeting, 1 p.m. Events

Patsy Cline

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

centrales

Saw you in the Ojo

Ctte Oct 6 – 11 a.m. Auxiliary Executive Board Meeting Oct 7 – 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. US Consulate Oct 8 – 11 a.m. Legion General Meeting Oct 12 – 2 p.m. Canadian Thanksgiving Oct 13 – 11 a.m. Auxiliary Executive Board Meeting Oct 21 – 5 p.m. Cabaret: dinner and show (performance 1) Oct 22 – 5 p.m. Cabaret: dinner and show (performance 2) Oct 29 – Lone Star gathering – be a Texan! The Lake Chapala Society held a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on September 13. Four Certificates of Appreciation were awarded: to Gil Silverman for the LCS Medical Program over ten years, to Kenee Campo for the LCS website, to Richard Warmowski for 15 years of Saturday mornings with the Children’s Art Program, and to Mildred Boyd as the longest serving LCS volunteer, including library volunteer, library director, board member and direcLCS Volunteers with certificates tor of the Children’s Art of appreciation Program. Over 140 volunteers attended the picnic hosted by the Board of Directors. Mary Ann Waite served up hamburgers and chicken burgers. Everyone brought either a salad or a dessert to share and there were plenty of soft drinks and wine. Health Care Week is October 13 – 16. Flu shots will be given all week by Lidia Zamudio, 10 – 12:30. A fee will apply. Monday 10 – 12 blood pressure checks Tuesday 10 – 12 lecture 9:30 – 12 diabetic testing 10 – 2 osteoporosis testing Wednesday 10 – 12:30 skin cancer screening Thursday 9 – 12:30 optometrist Friday 10 – 3 CPR course 10 – 12 blood pressure Susan Q. Miller is trying to generate a music program for December 27. The focus is on original music, and holiday songs, of course. Help is needed, especially a keyboard player, bass, guitar and vocal harmonies. If you are musical, please put your name and contact information on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the tree. Contact Susan 766 – 4360, taketimetocare@gmail.com. Lakeside Little Theater news: Starting off the season roster is Paul Rudnick’s political comedy Regrets Only, directed by Barbara Clippinger. Shows run from September 26 – October 4. A biting satire about marriage, friendship, and squandered riches. Next is the classic Agatha Christie mystery The Mousetrap, directed by Roseann Wilshere. Performances are October 31 – November 9, no performance on November 2. This is the longest running play in the world and promises to be full of twists and surprises. Mark your calendar for October’s audition for The Boy Friend, a new 1920s musical by Sandy Wilson and directed by Allen McGill. Auditions October 30 – 31, looking for 11 women and 11 men. Performances are February 27 – March 9, 2010. For scripts & information, contact Allen McGill at aljons@yahoo.com. There will be a special performance of the hit comedy Old Love, written by and starring Canada’s most popular playwright, Norm Foster and showcasing Patricia Vanstone. Performances are November 19 – 22, tickets available during the run of Regrets Only at the Theater Box Office, regular box office hours for $150 pesos. The LLT encourages those interested in acting to attend auditions for any of this season’s plays; to volunteer behind the scenes, the LLT is always looking for people to train. Contact Don Chaloner at 766-1975 or email 77dondo@gmail. com. The Music Appreciation Society (MAS) Season Tickets for the concert

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

program of 2009 – 2010 are $1000 pesos, $1200 or $1500 pesos for each reserved seat. This year’s program: November 17 – Three Tenors and a Soprano: opera arias December 16 – Flamenco: Antonio Jimenez “El Chupete” and seven artists January 14 – Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra: a “Night in Vienna” February 9 – Three Sopranos: opera arias, duos, trios March 23 – Two Guitarists Extraodinaire: Juanito Pazcual and Russian, Grisha Goryachev – classical style Mexican Holidays for October: Oct 4 Chapala celebrates fiestas patronales, honoring San Francisco de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi). The Mousetrap Oct 7 La Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary) –Ajijic honors its earliest religious patron all month, capped off October 31 with a procession and festivities at the plaza. Oct 12 Día de la Raza (race) – reference is to the blending of races, recalling Columbus’ arrival as an event that generated the fusion of Indian and European cultures and the birth of modern México’s Mestizo race. La Virgen de Zapopan, a divine protector against disease and natural disaster, is honored with a pilgrimage that closes much business in Guadalajara. Nov 1-2 Día de todos Santos and Día de los Muertos (All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day) –unique and surprisingly festive practices derived from a blending of pre-Hispanic rituals and Christian customs. Mexicans honor their dead by decorating family graves and attending memorial services in local cemeteries. Marigold blossoms and foods, candy skulls and other symbolic items are laid out both to honor and to entice visit by departed souls who are invited to share in the festivities as if still alive. Traditional altars are set up in homes and public venues. Open Circle at LCS on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.: Oct 4 Toshu Dale – classical homeopathy Oct 11 Poe Hearne Oct 18 Chuck Giles Oct 25 Turksya Isha - Consciousness Nov 1 Irene Anton VIVA! La Musica’s schedule at the Auditorio in La Floresta (7:30): Oct 8 Cuauhtemoc Garcia Jazz flute group Nov 26 Bus trip to Morelia, return Nov 29 – concerts by Conservatorio de las Rosas chamber orchestra, the Brodsky Quartet from Britain and a concert by the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and the White Quartet. Contact Rosemary Keeling, 766 – 1801. Gloria Marthai talks about her Taxi service for patrons can be arexperiences in México ranged for after the show at audtaxi@ gmail.com or patrons may sign up at the Auditorio fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled opening. Cost will be paid by those using the taxi. You will need to provide name, number of passengers and address at the time of reservation.

Saw you in the Ojo

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

The Health Care Debate

merica is seemingly at odds with the rest of the western world as it heatedly debates health care reform. Of the 30 developed countries of the OECD, its per capita expenditures on health care are twice the average and an astronomical 17% of GDP. Yet 47,000,000 Americans are without health insurance and 62% of American personal bankruptcies in 2007 were caused by medical costs—yet 78% of those involved did have insurance! Bottom line oriented insurance companies often withdraw coverage at times of greatest need. Many factors frustrate resolution. House and Senate bills that must be reconciled are already distorted by members attaching provisions to cater to local constituencies or powerful lobbyists and campaign contributors as mid-term elections loom. Communication of such legislation becomes difficult. Shrill town hall meetings enlisted orchestrated protestors to resist any vestige of a public option. Obama, despite the many other issues on his plate, is now assuming a more active personal role to restore integrity to the debate. But compromises to satisfy some on his right may alienate others who seek fundamental changes in a broken system. Canadians were drawn into the debate when Shona Holmes was recruited to disparage Canada’s public system. Impatient with the timetable on which that system responded to her cleft cyst she hied off to the Mayo Clinic for surgery performed with gratifying alacrity—albeit for $100,000. The multimillion dollar TV ad program funded by interests opposed to a public option elevated her cyst to a brain tumor and her widely quoted punch line claimed: “Had I depended on the Canadian health care system I would be dead.” Canadians were shocked, primarily because her rhetoric was so at odds with their own experience. Of course there are areas for improvement. But wait times are

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

prioritized by medical assessment, not a queue jumping ability to pay. An Angus Reid poll conducted on both sides of the border as recently as August 2009 showed vastly higher satisfaction rates in Canada. Only Americans at the top of the pyramid to whom cost is no object gave unstinting praise to their system. In a 2004 nationwide poll Tommy Douglas, the Father of Medicare and founder of Canada’s public health care system, was chosen as “The Greatest Canadian of all time.” At age ten he risked losing his leg after contracting osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone marrow until a doctor, seeing a teaching opportunity for his students, operated without charge. By coincidence, I incurred my osteomyelitis at age nine, spending four Great Depression years in and out of hospital for repeat surgeries on my leg. More spaced surgeries over ensuing decades (while I wore an ankle brace) culminated in 1980/81 with an ankle fusion and a fundamental leg reconstruction. In 1981 I had a heart triple bypass. Later I had angioplasty, a tumor removed from the base of my spine and experienced a mild stroke. I omit mention of decades long chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, erysipelas, and dormant cysts on my lungs. At 83 I live an active life, travel extensively, enjoy long daily walks year round. In her critique of its health care system, Sonia Holmes does not speak for Canadians, does not speak for me. Because I depended on the Canadian health care system, I am alive today.

Bob Harwood

Saw you in the Ojo

Feathered Friends By John Keeling

First Fall Warblers

know fall has arrived when the first Wilson’s Warblers arrive in my garden in Ajijic. These are fairly common yellow birds somewhat smaller than a sparrow. The lower parts are yellow to greenish yellow, and the upper parts are greenish yellow to olive. The male has a distinctive small black cap on top of its head, while the female and immatures have either no cap or a hint of a cap. In spring and summer the male develops a bright yellow body as its breeding plumage, which is what is typically shown in the bird books. You may notice the tail is often cocked, and has a characteristic tail wave or tail flip. The call is a high pitched: “chik, chik, chik.” You can observe these little birds in bushes and vines from two to six feet off the ground, always on the move, hopping from branch to branch, continuously foraging. They are looking principally for small insects, leaf hoppers, caterpillars, wasps, ants and also minor quantities of seeds and small berries. They spend the summer in subartic regions from Alaska to Newfoundland, as well as along the pacific coast from Oregon to California. They build nests on or just above ground level well hidden under willow trees, tall grasses or blackberry tangles near water. De-

signed for a quick turn-around in the short, unpredictable northern summer, the eggs take only 14 days to hatch and the young are flying within another 12 days. Researchers studying nesting habits of Wilson’s Warblers near the Arctic Circle one year found five chicks in a nest wiped out by an unexpected heavy snowfall in July. When the far north cools off in August, these birds start migrating nocturnally, following major flyways through the central states, heading for winter feeding grounds from Mexico to Panama. They will rest at spots where they find plentiful insects, stopping for four days at a time to replenish body fat to use on the next stage of the journey. A month later, in September, when it gets cooler in Oregon, the Pacific Coast birds move down the coast to winter in Western Mexico and Ajijic. In March the West-Coast birds start heading north, while the others in Central America wait another month for the far north to start defrosting before they travel. The males go about two weeks ahead of the females in order to select nesting territories. They will often go back to the same nesting area they used in the previous year. Wilson’s Warblers are not afraid of humans, so you will often see them in your garden, approaching close to your house, particularly if you have vines or bushes for them to hunt for insects. Look out for them. Editor’s Note: John and Rosemary Keeling lead ‘Los Audubonistas del Lago’ which is a loose-knit group of people interested in birds. To receive notices of bird-walks please leave your e-mail address at www.avesajijic.com.

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

Hombres On The Curb By M.A. Porter

very evening, Chuy and Miguel can be found perched on the curb of the craggy rock sidewalk that lines the barrio. Conversation flows between them as easy as that of two aging lovers. They are cousins and best friends who have about 60 years apiece but their banter is that of two adolescent boys, peppered with chuckles that waft through open windows. Lucky for her, they are both past the stage of life where testosterone-laden machismo inhibits conversation with a barrio gringa. Chuy and Miguel share a small corn farm near San Juan but they are also laborers, and the best of their stories come from job sites of old. They’ve been on home construction and remodeling sites since 1967 and have noticed many curious changes in the quality of gringos who’ve come south to share a slice of paradise. At first, it was the artists – wildhaired whiteys, some with ponytails, and all with money enough to buy a street hut and start creating something wowie zowie. A decade later came the businessmen and golfers, dressed in expensive pants, who desired houses like castles, upsetting the rhythms of Chuy and Miguel’s life because the businessmen wanted things yesterday and the golfers rarely graced the job site until after 18 holes. Chuy says another type of gringo has arrived and this one makes him scratch his head. It’s the Youngster gringos, people who only have 50 or 60 years but who have already retired from work. They’re like the artists, in a way, because they want things wowie zowie too, but they’re also like the businessmen – they want it right now. But the Youngster gringas please the two men greatly. Chuy thinks they’re awfully pretty, as pretty as Mexican ladies who have only 20 years, and he likes to watch them pass by while their voices sing greetings in Spanish.

They both wonder, how do they do it? Their wives Ellie and Maria don’t look that way. Ellie resembles a plump cactus fruit and Maria’s skin has taken on the texture of an old leather chair, and they are most-often dressed in the clothing of their dead mother. Oh, sure, their wives are both still lovely, but there’s something fascinating about the leggy, stylish gringas whose teeth beam wattage and whose fingernails are painted like sports cars. Miguel remembers a time when gringas didn’t seem this way. First came the hippie chicks and, well, it was hard to conjure up any romance with them even though the girls were willing. They seemed unclean, so it was not possible, perhaps even dangerous. Then the businessmen’s wives weren’t too friendly and the young men beheld fear in the women’s eyes, so they stayed in the background and averted their eyes. About thirty years ago, a golfer’s woman caught Chuy’s fancy for a few months. She was 21 years older than he and full of charm, but when she showed up at his house one night, drunk, weeping love and shouting her willing sacrifice, his mother locked him in a store room for three days until the passion died. The following month, he married Ellie. The golfer’s woman returned to the USA but he still sees her man around. The two men grow restless if a gringa stays too long on the curb, even though she plies them with her homemade sweet biscuits for the evening’s treat. So she only stays a few minutes before retreating to her writing room, where she often records their stories for no particular reason other than to beckon the muse.

Saw you in the Ojo

Wondrous Wildlife By Vern and Lori Gieger

Dark Days in Equine History

n the 1930’s during the transition of the US Army from Cavalry to Tanks, thousands of US Army Horses were slaughtered, rounded up, driven to Mexico. These animals were corralled in pits, and soldiers with machine guns were ordered to kill them. After serving their country, the US Army tossed them aside and disrespectfully murdered them on foreign soil. They did not even have enough compassion and courage to humanly end their lives on US soil, the land they helped defend. For animal lovers this is the most dishonorable moment in the history of the US Army. Five honorable soldiers disobeyed orders and took approx. 400 horses, herded them back across the border and drove them north to Canada to freedom and life. According to the movie docudrama “In Pursuit of Honor” which is based upon the actual events, for one soldier the cost was high. He lost his life saving that of his 4 legged comrades. The question is: Will Mexican soil once again run red with equine blood? Is a Mexican icon in danger of the same fate? The Mexican burro; the Mexican burro is to Mexico as the Koala is to Australia or the Panda to China… Due to the drought situation in northern Mexico, the future of approx. 20,000 burros is uncertain; it is unclear whether the burros are

domestic, feral or wild, or a combination. With this many animals involved one may assume they are mixed. The first generation born of abandoned burros is considered feral, the second generation is considered wild. It has been proposed that the burros be slaughtered in 2010. Hence the available grazing land could be used for cattle which are considered more productive and therefore more valuable. Some reports claim that the majority of the burros are wild; therefore, under Mexican law they are considered wildlife and subject to the same protection as other wild animals. Technically it would be a federal crime to kill them. It is also argued the only burros that they can prove are domestic are those with registered brands. Still others believe that the owners of the cattle are responsible for their care and therefore governmental agencies should not interfere; wilderness is for wildlife, and should not be used for grazing land, as it would only further degrade the land destroying wildlife habitat. It is an emotional and difficult situation. Many feel that nature should be allowed to take its course. Some will survive, and the weaker animals will succumb. But it is not any more inhumane than a general slaughter in which the strong and the weak will be killed, and adding that it would be nearly impossible to transport 20,000 burros to a slaughter house. One can hope that another solution will be found and Mexico’s adorable little icons will be spared. Unfortunately, it is a complicated, confusing and sad situation with no easy answers. If anyone has resources, ideas etc. that could help save the burros, please contact LWRR 7654916 or wildlifemexico911@yahoo. com.

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

CHILD

of the month

By Rich Petersen

Arturo Palacios Campo

iños Incapacitados del Lago is pleased to tell you about Arturo Palacios Campo, seen here with his sister Marta. Arturo was the recipient of a kidney transplant last year. Niños Incapacitados has highlighted several children with a diagnosis of renal insufficiency (kidney failure) and resultant successful transplant, and while we assist many children with different medical problems, kidney failure appears to be high on the list here at Lakeside. We wrote about Arturo soon after his transplant and soon hope to have an updated photograph. He is now 18 years old, is back in school and doing very well. He has gained weight, is eating well, and only has to have monthly blood work to monitor his kidney function. He, of course, must take an anti-rejection medicine every week. Arturo was 16 years old when he had his transplant. He lives in Ajijic with his parents and siblings and is the youngest of nine children, only two of whom still live at home. Prior to his diagnosis Arturo started to feel excessively tired. His skin color changed from light brown to a yellowish tinge, and he developed abdominal pain and discomfort. Naturally his family took him for a medical check-up, and after several tests and scans, his right kidney was found to be failing. The boy was started on medication and then dialysis, at first just once a week but then twice, and finally three times a week in Guadalajara. Soon the doctors knew that Arturo would need a transplant in order to recover full kidney function, but the dialysis, in addition to several medications, would of course have to continue during the search for a compatible donor. A patient’s immediate family is the first to be screened since the compatibility factor can at times be most easily found there. Sure enough, Arturo’s older sister Marta (seen above with her brother) was considered to be a “perfect” donor. Marta is 27 years old, married, with three children of her own, but there was doubt in her mind that she would offer one of her

kid h kidneys to hher younger bbrother. Both siblings were tested and retested as to their overall health and suitability for surgery and both were found to be ready for the transplant procedure, which took place just about two months ago. As you can see in the photo, Arturo looks great. He says he feels very well now, no longer tired, and he is gaining back some of the weight he lost during his illness. He will restart school early next year, but in the meantime has to take it easy, avoid exposure to potential infection, and watch his diet. Marta, as well, told us she has had no adverse side affects from her surgery and is back to being a full-time Mom. The Palacios family is a bit different from many of the families that Niños Incapacitados helps with medical expenses in that they were able to pay for most of their son’s treatments and most of the surgery by selling some land they owned, as well as a couple of automobiles. It was only toward the end of Arturo’s illness when some of the medical bills became too much that they approached Niños Incapacitados for help. As an example, one drug Arturo needs to take each month costs 5000 pesos, and we are happy to be able to share some of that expense with the family. Arturo’s mother, father, and two of his sisters attended our last monthly meeting and it was apparent they are a very close-knit and loving family, very appreciative of the help received from our group and very happy to have their youngest son back on his feet and on the road to recovery. For anyone at Lakeside who would like to find out more about our group and its work, Niños Incapacitados meets the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 in the patio area of the Hotel La Nueva Posada. Please join us and meet some of the families we assist and learn how you can help.

Saw you in the Ojo

The Ojo Crossword

ACROSS 1 Boxer Muhammad 4 Colt 8 Totals 12 Goof 13 Rush 14 Cooked 16 Implants 18 Commotion 20 BB Player Abdul Jabar 21 Haze 23 Hoopla 24 North northeast 25 Kid 26 Moved air 27 Dart 29 Rich, disliked by rich 32 Caesar’s three 33 Chest muscles 34 Type of races 38 Dried hog fat 40 Unrefined person 41 Japanese cars 42 Caps 43 Also known as (abbr.) 44 Sense perceived 46 Heed 47 Limbs 50 Regret 51 IBM Competitor 52 Gal’s pal 53 Against 55 Remaining one 58 Annual storm causing current 60 Final 63 With ears 64 Aborts 65 Snake like fish 66 Cuts 67 Letup 68 Saute

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

DOWN 1 Afloat 2 join together 3 Cleverness 4 Supporting structure 5 Lout 6 Skit 7 Lease givers 8 Hairstyle 9 Medicine 10 Not brightly lit 11 Floral leaf 15 Ranch guy 17 Tear 19 Plant 22 I want my __ 25 Cinch 26 Flower start 27 Sieve 28 Hi! 29 Pie nut 30 Eat away 31 Nightly tv show 33 Crown of the head 35 Sheik (2 wds.) 36 Link 37 Influence 39 Foreman 40 Low-cal 42 Wash 45 __ Lanka 46 Grain 47 Ripen 48 Policy 49 Asian bird 51 Slightly damp 53 Afresh 54 Divine beings 56 Always 57 Depend 59 Anger 61 Vane direction 62 Discs

PROM NIGHT By Gail Nott

ecently, I was accused by one of our ex-pat matriarchs of “’throwing my breasts on the shoulders of a married man to sexually entice him.” I was very flattered by this false accusation; I had never considered it possible to throw my chest anywhere. But this incident triggered memories of my first prom. I was a freshman and the man of my dreams was Bruce, a junior from another town. After endless discussions with Mother, rules the Geneva Convention hadn’t thought of, a lengthy and confusing lecture about sex, I got approval to accept Bruce’s invitation. The home-fire coffers were empty; the search for a prom gown and shoes began with my classmates. Eventually, the older sister of my friend, Lynn, agreed I could borrow one of her gowns and matching shoes. The fact that Lynn’s sister was extremely well-endowed never fazed me; I was 14 years old, and going to a Junior Prom! The dress was pale blue. Four crinolines had to be worn to fluff out the mid-calf length skirt, the mid-section was row upon row of tight little pleats and it was strapless. Undaunted, I tried on the dress. If I pushed my stomach out, I could keep it from sliding over my hips to the floor. I glanced down at the cavernous bodice of the dress; only cold air filled the space. Half a box of Kleenex later, we made contact. Cotton balls were stuffed in the toes of the shoes. Still 1 1/2/ sizes too big, but I was ready to attend my first prom. Princess Di didn’t have as much help for her wedding as I did, getting ready that evening. Four friends teased and sprayed my hair. Even if there wasn’t a roll bar in Bruce’s car, there would be no chance of a head injury. We all stared in the bathroom mirror at the “zit” on my chin that had tripled in size since the previous night. A Band-Aid was too obvious, and Clearasil didn’t cover it; Cover Girl delicately applied with a putty knife was the only recourse. Then the Kleenex and cotton balls were strategically placed and I just knew that I resembled Jackie O. Bruce looked so handsome in his powder blue tuxedo jacket, but the cummerbund looked a little out of place down around his hips. As he

reached toward me to pin my corsage on, I panicked. I knew the front of the gown would not withstand any extra weight. Bruce blushed, thinking I was being modest as I grabbed the corsage out of his hand, and pinned it to my purse. The auditorium was decorated with blue and white crepe paper, small white lights and an archway of toilet paper tissue flowers. As we walked through the archway, I could see heads move toward each other and hands covering mouths. Let ‘em eat their hearts out. Bruce had brought me to the Taneytown Junior Prom! Slow dancing to Little Anthony and the Imperials was magic. But when the DJ played Jerry Lee Lewis, disaster struck; as I boogied to the left, my dress moved to the right. It was as if two sink holes had suddenly materialized. The Kleenex had compressed and was slowly moving down my ribs and toward my back. Bruce, ever the gentleman, made no comment until I danced out of my shoes. The cotton balls had wedged into the pointy toe of the shoes. It is likely I wasn’t the only girl stuffing paper into the front of her dress in the Ladies Room, but I knew Bruce would never ask me out again. Because my curfew was midnight, all our wonderful plans to go to a round of after-prom parties were wiped out. Bruce was extremely romantic on the drive home, his arm around my shoulders; only when he had to shift gears did I repeatedly hit my head on the dashboard. While I was anticipating our first kiss, the fear that Bruce would attempt to touch the bodice of my dress and find only toilet paper dampened the moment. Lips ended up on chins and noses, and thankfully, the porch light was going off and on. This provided me an excuse to slide out of the car, with Bruce quickly following. As I moved into his arms for a “Good Night” kiss, his hug tightened. Even through four crinolines, I felt a bulge against the front of my leg. Though mother had made it clear that making contact with specific areas of the male anatomy was dangerous, I held tight to Bruce, glowing with the knowledge that I had actually sexually enticed a man!

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

Love Your Liver (it’s the only one you’ve got!)

our liver is situated on the upper right side of your abdomen, just below your diaphragm. The main function of this large organ is to remove toxins from your body, process nutrients and to help regulate your metabolism. If your liver is stressed it cannot perform its many duties. What stresses your liver? Alcohol—as little as two average size drinks a day-can contribute to liver damage, excessive use of drugs, hepatitis, diet filled with pesticides and additives and bad fats, and genetic liver disease. It is interesting to note that Mexico scores highest in alcoholic related liver disease with United States being second and Germany third. So watch those drinks, people! Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently affects nations world-wide but particularly developed nations such as Canada, United States, and Great Britain. Eating high fat diets and overeating causes your liver to store fat when it should be burning it and removing excess fat from your body. Symptoms of a fatty liver include elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, syndrome X or insulin resistance, difficulty losing weight, overweight especially in the abdominal area, fatigue, type 2 diabetes. You clean the filter of your car more frequently than the filter of your body—your liver! So part of a good solid holistic weight loss program would be to work with your liver to help it restore full function. Often this condition might not show on a liver function test until it is more advanced—so why not start now? The amazing thing about your liver is that it is one of the most resilient organs in your body and can fully heal if given the opportunity. Steps you can take today to help your health and weight loss: • Avoid deep fried, fatty, and processed foods, excess sugar • Limit intake of commercially grown poultry and meats that are ridden with hormones, antibiotics and steroids • Reduce the consumption of refined carbohydrates (sugar,

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white refined flours, white rice, white potato)—following a low carbohydrate program similar to south beach to avoid insulin resistance or syndrome X • Utilize fresh, raw low glycemic veggies whether in whole or juice form such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, etc. • Drink at least two litres of water per day • Avoid artificial sweeteners • Take Milk Thistle (silymarin) to help restore liver function • Take intestinal fiber regularly so that the transit time increases, thereby reducing the ability of these toxins to circulate back to the liver • Exercise regularly to reduce body fat—see you at the gym!! You change the filter in your car but how often do you clean your liver? Let’s first find out what the liver’s function is in your body. Dietary When one improves the liver function through simple dietary habits, it is possible to achieve many health benefits such as weight control and internal cleansing of the body. You are certainly aware of what your lungs and heart do but do you know what your liver does? So in a nutshell: • Reduce your consumption of alcohol to occasional social situations • Get vaccinated for hepatitis • Eat healthy—fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean white meats—foods that contain less additives and therefore puts less strain on the liver • Avoid situations that can result in viral hepatitis • Exercise to reduce obesity • Fiber to keep intestinal tract moving regularly so there is no backup of toxins which burden the liver • Get tested to make sure your liver is functioning

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Hearts at Work —A Column by Jim Tipton

“The shortest distance between two people is a smile” —Anonymous

n Farewell My Lovely, Raymond Chandler’s indefatigable Private Detective, Philip Marlowe, a lover of all things female, says, “She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket.” Here at Lakeside, some of the best smiles to ever brighten my days and nights are those smiles that so spontaneously light up the faces of Mexican ladies. Those include my wife Martha and her buddies—like Gaby and Raquel on each side of her in the photo above—who delight me with their life-affirming smiles, smiles you can carry with you in your hip pocket. Many a Friday night, after a long week struggling to write well, I succumb with no resistance at all to the happy mood created by the smiles of Martha and Gaby and Raquel and other friends. Throughout the month of September (as I write this), I have been traveling through Colorado with a dear poetry companion, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, presenting our “poetry duet” at universities, art centers, libraries, and book stores. And even when I feel weary, those warm smiles of audiences responding, and certainly Rosemerry’s own smiles, make me feel the five-thousand mile road trip (one-fifth of the circumference of the planet) is well worth it, vale la pena. In both western and eastern Colorado, he encontrado—I have found—Mexicans, many Mexicans, working in restaurants, working in convenience stores, working in supermarkets, as well as strolling the streets of mountain towns or soaking up the sun in little parks. In addition to making me feel at home again, almost all of them have offered me those sunny Mexican smiles. A couple of hours ago I went to a Verizon office in Denver to sign a new two-year contract with Verizon for my U.S. and Mexico cellular service and to pick out a new cell phone. The person assigned to me was a strikingly attractive young woman named Dani. She led me through the store and charmingly showed me the various exotic phones now available, and then she offered her suggestions on the best phone for me.

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Gaby, Martha, and Raquel

Although she spoke perfect English, Dani’s dark hair and brown eyes and beautiful skin and manner prompted me to ask her whether she was of Hispanic heritage. Dani’s answer? She was born in Guadalajara. She knew Lake Chapala. She also wrote poetry and she was familiar with various Latin American poets I mentioned. And, throughout the twenty delightful minutes I spent with her, she gave me, at no charge whatsoever, dozens of those lovely, sensual, confident smiles that I could “feel in my hip pocket,” that I could carry with me the rest of the day. As I left I thought how much fun it would be to be twenty-five again and single, and to walk in to see Dani wearing a t-shirt that read: “Smiles are the second best thing you can do with your lips.” But maybe smiles are the best thing you can do with your lips. Often, at the end of a long day, I will think back over the day and remember the smiles that arrived unexpectedly. Sometimes I forget completely a conversation with a particular woman, or man for that matter, and remember instead a smile that came right up out of their heart. One old proverb says, “A smile says the same thing in every language.” Another says, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta exhorted us to “Spread love everywhere you go. First of all in your own house. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Jim Tipton

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THE T HE T TREE REE IIN N T THE HE A ARROYO RROYO By Iris R. Slocombe

t was a tall tree, probably grown from a seed swept downstream from the hills above. It had thrust its roots into the loose gravel where it had lodged. Eventually it became a mature tree, offering many gifts to the people of the pueblo on the lake shore. On hot Sundays and fiestas, picnicking families trudged up the mountain, lugging baskets of food, drinks, hoping to find shade from the sun under its branches. The children rolled a couple of old tires, laughing when they got away and rolled back down the mountain. When water was running in the arroyo, the children pulled off shoes and socks, though many were already bare-footed, to wade gleefully in the shallow water. The older children were sent to look for wood to build a fire for their mothers to prepare a simple comida. The men usually arrived later, hauling ropes, and the little ones begged them to hurry and hang the tire-swings from the branches of the tree. The smallest children then climbed eagerly to be swung by their papas. The older boys brought ‘boom boxes’ to banish the unaccustomed and unwelcome quiet of the countryside. Two or three would be tuned to different stations, producing the ear-splitting cacophony they considered music. In the fall, the tree bore small fruit gathered eagerly by the women to supplement their limited diet. Most weeks the crowds arrived, some in battered cars but most on foot. Any gringos living close to the arroyo, would hope in vain for a quiet siesta, but some attempted to rest in spite of the noise. Occasionally a storm might roll in, its booming thunder enough to send the crowds scurrying homewards, while clouds of rain sheeted across the hills, drenching those unwise enough to stay outside and risk being struck by lightning. When the wind blew fiercely, dead branches fell, later gathered for firewood. Year by year the tree grew and eventually reached its full maturity, even though its roots

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by now were spread out into the arroyo. After all, what could kill such a strong tree? A few years earlier a cloudburst had filled the arroyo, and torrents had surged through our front door, and we swept the water out of the house using a ‘squeegie’ to clear the muddy mess. The tree remained undamaged by that storm. Afterwards we had a rock wall built, hoping we might be able to divert the water from the arroyo away from the house, but we moved away soon after, and were living a few miles away when finally its last day came. Black clouds piled into thunderheads as dusk fell; forked lightning scissored through the dark. Thunder rolled and suddenly a deepthroated growl of angry water sounded from the hills above, the sound of a sodden hillside collapsing under the weight of water that had been falling for many days. Soon the water cascaded through the arroyo as a mud-slide, bearing broken tree limbs and rocks of all sizes, smashing them at the base of the tree. As a huge rock hit the tree trunk, it struggled to keep its balance, but finally the tree could stand no more. Its roots gave way, as it collapsed into the arroyo which had become an impassible raging torrent, powerful enough to sweep the tree down-stream, until it lodged at the foot of that wall built to protect the house above it from just such a disaster. The house was seriously damaged. As the tree lay there, more water and rocks piled against it and even swept a car through the wall into the guest bedroom! There was no way people could move the fallen tree. Rocks as big as cars blocked the road, and with some difficulty the ‘destroyers’ fi-

nally arrived. Perched high upon bright yellow back-hoes, operators tugged at the fallen tree but even their backhoes could not move it. More men arrived with chain saws, to hack the trunk into usable logs that could be split for firewood. The people of the pueblo were very thankful for this last gift from the tree: a supply of almost free firewood and kindling. Later another tiny seedling rooted itself. Perhaps by the time the youngest children have memories of that old tree, the new tree will be ready for their children.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ear Sir: Thanks for the journalistic diversity and honesty displayed in your September issue with the publication of contrasting accounts of Jews in the 20th and 21st centuries. Herbert Piekow’s “My friend Ursula—the Jew from Shanghai,” a heartrending account of atrocities inflicted on Jews in the 30’s and 40’s, evokes compassion and sympathy from any sensitive reader. No fairminded person would dare to deny or belittle the personal horrors and hell endured by Ursula and her family, not to mention the tortures and deaths of countless other Holocaust victims. In dramatic and ironic contrast is Jim Muir’s masterful and revealing piece, “The Microcosm of a Nation or the Curious Case of Elie Wiesel.” Muir raises a painful question which angers many who refuse to acknowledge the ugly reality that exists in the Middle East today: is there a distinction between Hitler’s treatment of the Jews and Israelis’ treatment of Palestinians? The de-

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tails may differ, but the hatred, injustice, dispossession, and humiliation are gruesome in their similarities. The abused have indeed become the abusers. How sadly ironic that the iconic peace laureate Wiesel remains stoically silent, unwilling to condemn the present conditions inflicted on the Palestinians by the State of Israel. Your magazine’s willingness to provide an open forum for information which some circles would prefer to suppress is both courageous and admirable. Thank you! James Ewing Raul Ramirez #68 San Juan Cosala 387-761-0068

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Ed Tasca Wins Robert Benchley Society Humor Award for 2009

T T

he Robert Benchley Society announced the winners of the prestigious 2009 Robert Benchley Society Annual Humor Award. In first place was Ed Tasca of Ajijic for his “original and lively writing.” Ed is a three-time published novelist, and has two new novels coming out in January and February of 2010. Lub Dub (Roseheart Publishing) is the story of a heart transplant delivery gone awry (he says he shared a first draft of the first chapter at the Ajijic Writer’s Group a year ago); and his Autobiography of a Worm (Eternal Press) is a poignant character study of a man wracked with depression who commits a perfect crime, then goes on to punish himself (a first serious novel dealing with a fundamental issue of humanity, the raging internal urges we all face which we find impossible to control).

All of Ed’s books are available from any online bookseller. Award ceremonies for the Benchley Society are held in Boston and will be taking place early in 2010. Past judges of the competition have been Dave Barry and Bob Newhart. This year’s final judge Kevin C. Fitzpatrick founded New York’s Dorothy Parker Society. He is the author of “A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York,” and, with Nat Benchley, is the co-editor of the new book “The Lost Algonquin Round Table.” Ed’s other works of fiction include: Return of the Lost Horses (Publish America), The Fishing Trip That Got Away (Roseheart Publishing) and Good Morning, why is everyone here naked? (A spoof of Columbus’s voyage of Discovery - out of print). Ed’s comment on the award: “I’m honored to be this year’s top winner. Robert Benchley was probably the most influential figure in my writing career. Him and, of course, Yogi Berra.”

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PAW PRINTS ON MY HEART By Gudrun Jones, Co-Founder & President of the Lakeside Spay & Neuter Center

Commuting Dogs of Moscow

his story has been sent to me and I think it is worth repeating.) Stray dogs are commuting to and from a city center on underground trains in search of food scraps. The clever canines board the Train each morning. After a hard day scavenging and begging on the streets of Moscow, they hop back on the train and return to the suburbs where they spend the night. Experts studying the dogs say they even work together to make sure they get off at the right stop—after learning to judge the length of time they need to spend on the train. The mutts choose the quietest carriages at the front and back of the train. They have also developed tactics to hustle humans into giving them more food on the streets of Moscow. Scientists believe the phenomenon began after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, and Russia’s new capitalists moved industrial complexes from the city center to the suburbs. Dr Andrei Poiarkov, of the Moscow Ecology and Evolution Institute, said: “These complexes were used by homeless dogs as shelters, so the dogs had to move together with their houses. Because the best scavenging for food is in the city center, the dogs had to learn how to travel on the subway—to get to the center in the morning, then back home in the evening, just like people.” Dr. Poiarkov told how the dogs like to play during their daily commute. He said: “They jump on the train seconds before the doors shut, risking their tails getting jammed. They do it for fun. And sometimes they fall asleep and get off at the

wrong stop.” The dogs have learned to use traffic lights to cross the road safely, and they use cunning tactics to obtain tasty morsels. They sneak up behind people eating a snack - then bark loudly to shock them into dropping their food. The Moscow mutts are not the first animals to use public transport. In 2006 a Jack Russell in Dunnington, North Yorks, began taking the bus to his local pub in search of sausages. And two years ago passengers in Wolverhampton were stunned when a white cat called Macavity started catching the 331 bus to a fish and chip shop. Another story told to me is of a young woman, due to some unavoidable circumstances, had to give her dog to her mother who was not really a dog person. The mother lived in the country and every day the dog disappeared and spent the afternoon at a Farmhouse up the road. Calls have been made and the people at the Farmhouse stated that they didn’t mind having the four legged visitor. After some time the woman saw the dog taking his ball to his new friends, but the next day she knew that something was amiss when the dog dragged his blanket out the door, up to the Farmhouse and did not return. The La Bodega is having an evening of Karaoke on October 9th, benefiting the Lakeside Spay and Neuter Center. If you like animals, and like what we are doing, then join us, and all of us at the Lakeside Spay and Neuter Center will be grateful for your support. For Information call 766-3813.

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Notes From Nestipac

By Phyllis Rauch rauchlosdos@yahoo.com

My Return to the Waldorf

fter a busy morning of village errands, all I wanted was a quick snack to take home, where I could put up my feet and enjoy the view from my terrace. I spotted a sign signaling Amigo de la Tostada. As I entered the small, immaculate establishment, the smiling proprietor replied, “Yes we have sandwiches.” “What kind of bread?” I asked. “White Bimbo,” I’m sure he saw the disappointed look on my face, for he continued almost immediately, “If you’d prefer something different I’ll run out and get it.” I was embarrassed to be giving this nice man a hard time. Debating whether to stay or leave, I glanced over to where his wife was stacking fish filets. “What kind of fish is that?” I indicated.

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“Huachinango, red snapper,” he replied. “I have a large order for filetes empanizados (breaded), but you may have one.” “Could I have it al mojo de ajo?” (sautéed in butter and garlic) Reassuring me I could have my filet any way I wished, he pulled out

a red plastic chair for me. Next, he shook open a large, white, cloth napkin and laid it gently over my lap. Definitely a first time experience, in Jocotepec. The snapper was served with fresh vegetables and rice, all perfectly cooked, just the way I like them. “Have you worked in the states?” “Yes, five years at the Astoria.” One positive thing about having lived to a certain age is that I seem to run into more and more of life’s delightful coincidences. The word “Astoria” brought back a very special memory from September 1966. That sunny, Manhattan afternoon, my husband, Georg, was trying to finish a watercolor of midtown skyscrapers. At the same time a glorious string of scarlet fire engines was roaring past, sirens screaming, a Dalmatian proudly planted in front. Behind Georg a strange man was also trying to get his attention. The watercolor was almost finished, but Georg was also very curious about that fire. One of his favorite things about life in this new city was the fire engines. Yet this stranger was still pestering him. It was really too much. “I’d like to invite you to have supper with me tonight at the Waldorf Astoria.” the man said. The name meant nothing whatsoever to Georg, recently arrived from Austria. Just to get rid of this bothersome person, Georg gave him our telephone number. By the time he returned to our small apartment on Second Avenue, he had forgotten the incident. We were talking about what to prepare for supper when the phone rang. Georg called out to the kitchen, “Someone wants to invite us to a place called the Waldorf Astoria,” I came running. What could this man want with Georg? It definitely seemed suspi-

cious. Understanding the signs I was making, Georg said, basically just playing along, “Well, I’d have to bring my wife too.” The stranger accepted. Georg’s cousin, Marianne, having traveled from Europe to our wedding, was still visiting. When Georg asked if she could also come, we were certain this would end the bizarre conversation. “Yes, bring her too, by all means,” the stranger said hanging up. I, at least, had certainly heard of the Waldorf Astoria, and wasn’t about to miss what, if not a major joke, might be the opportunity of a lifetime. We were met at the front door of the famous hotel and ushered into the restaurant. Who should be that evening’s featured entertainment but the marvelous and debonair Maurice Chevalier? We were encouraged to select whatever we wished from the menu. Our host revealed little about himself, but seemed fascinated by us. We ate, drank, and danced to the exquisite music. At one point our mystery man asked Marianne if she’d like to speak with her mother in Vienna. In an age when such things simply didn’t happen, we visited the man’s room at the Waldorf and Marianne spoke transatlantically to her amazed mother for half an hour. It was a night of wonders. My new friend Santiago, in my hometown of Jocotepec, now brought the story full circle. He told me about his years working in the Astoria restaurant in the gourmet department. Finally, as a special treat, he surprised me with an unexpected dessert—directly from the big apple - Bananas Flambé. Thus, in a small but totally delightful way, I returned after so many years, to the inimitable Waldorf Astoria.

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The Truth About The Truth By Neil McKinnon

e here at the Tuckahoe Institute of Mismanaged Budgets for Inane Times (TIMBIT) have decided that it’s time we clarified the state of the world’s economy. Granted, you may find a few illuminating tidbits (not TimBits) in the musings of Ben Bernanke, Stephen Harper and Sarah Palin, but we believe a recent press release by our own researchers, Dr. Dick Trickle and Dr. Fern Dibblecheek, says it all. Following is a copy of that release: Recent figures show an easing up of the rate at which business is easing off, meaning that there is a slow, but noticeable slowing down of the slowdown. It should be noted that a slowing up of the slowdown is not as good as an upturn in the downturn, but it is better than a speedup of the slowdown or a deepening of the down curve; and it may lead to an adjustment of the readjustment. Turning to unemployment, we find a decrease in the rate of increase,

which means a letting up of the letdown. Of course, if the slowdown should speed up, the decrease in the rate of increase would turn into an increase in the rate of decrease (the deceleration would be accelerated). Indicators suggest a levelling off followed by a gentle pick up, then a speedup of the pick up, a slowdown of the pickup, and then a levelling out. It is difficult to tell before the end of the slowdown whether a pickup is going to happen quickly although the climate is right for a fast pickup—especially if you are single and driving a red convertible. The institute is offering the following courses to help people cope with the current economic malaise: • Money Can Make You Rich • How to Make $100 in Real Estate • Talking Good: Improve Communication and Get a Better Job • Career Opportunities in Iran • How to Profit From Your Own Body • Tax Shelters for the Indigent • Looters Guide to U.S. Cities • Convert Your Family Room into a Hostel • Basic Kitchen Taxidermy • The Dummy’s Guide to Vacuuming • Repair and Maintenance of Your Virginity

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

By Bernie Suttle

“B

oys and girls, I’m leaving the room for a short time and while I’m gone you are to stay at your desks and practice printing your letters or put your head down and close your eyes.” Sister Jean continued to my first grade class, “I’ll be back in just a few minutes and then we’ll go to recess.” I thought, “This is something new, but if Sister Jean’s going to be gone for a little while, we’ll be OK.” She left and soon I began to think about last Saturday’s matinee, Gene Autry in South of the Border. I don’t remember ever seeing Gene Autry turn his head or take his hat off. If he was addressing someone on either side, he turned or twisted his whole upper torso, and hence his head and his hat, in that direction. That was OK because not only did he get the bad guys up to no good, but also, he usually had at least one pretty girl, in each of his movies. I thought he was the King of the Cowboys. Roy Rogers was OK, but he was not The King. My desk was at the front of the first row on the left side of the room (the place for the shortest boy in the class). I began to look around for something of interest. In the second row, just to my right, was my former, kindergarten classmate, Marceline Thereon. Marceline was a pretty girl. She had soft, round, black eyes and long, silky hair. As I look back on my early years, whenever I turned around, Marceline was always there. In last Saturday’s matinee, Gene Autry was in pursuit of bad guys in Mexico and there he met this pretty girl. He turned his whole body so that their eyes could meet. Although there was none of that kissing stuff, it was clear they were meant for each other. But alas, because Gene had taken care of the bad guys, he soon had to move on to continue his tireless fight against evil. Near the end of the movie, Gene rode his great horse, Champion, back to where he had met the pretty girl. He saw her from a distance, through a gossamer lens, wearing a long white dress and a white mantilla. She was kneeling in front of a shrine. While he was away, making

everyone safe from the bad guys, she had become a nun! With this scene in mind, I twisted to my right and, although hatless and horseless, I began to sing as loud as I could to Marceline (and the whole class) the song that Gene Autry sang at the end of the movie… “South of the border, I rode back one day, there in a veil of white in candle light, she knelt to pray. The mission bells told me I mustn’t stay south of the border of the border, down Mexico way.” Marceline demurely kept her eyes cast downward but I saw a slight smile at the corners of her mouth. When I finished my sincere performance, I looked to my left and—there was Sister Jean Frances. God knows how long she had witnessed this exposure of my heart, so I looked up at her, smiled, and folded my hands on the top of my desk. I don’t recall her making any comment, but I do remember that she had a pleasant look on her pretty face. Perhaps she had seen the movie or… perhaps, earlier in her life, while in Mexico, before she was a nun, she had met…The King of the Cowboys!

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The World of Wine By Ceci Rodriguez

Grape Varieties

he main variety of grape used in a wine determines how the wine is labeled. It is impossible to calculate how many different grapes are grown, but the figure will be in the thousands. However, just a few, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, have global reputations because they are grown around the world and are very familiar to us. What are the differences between grapes grown in different regions? For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, France and one from Napa, California. First they are grown in different climates, weather, types of soil, and topography. As a result, there is a difference in viticulture and vintification. Another interesting example of this is the Malbec grape. Its origin is France, probably Burgundy, although it became most popular in Bordeaux, but its value, in the blend of Bordeaux wines, is its deep color. The wines made with this grape by itself, made in Cahors (here known as Auxerrois) southwest France, historically were described as “black wines” and were very tannic and longlasting. In Argentina, the Malbec grape found a better place to express itself; the wines are richer and more concentrated. Forceful, but well-balanced and lightly spicy,

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Argentinian Malbec wines are considered the best, and are becoming an international success. After its success, in Cahors, growers are now trying to produce better wines with the Malbec grape, understanding how they can optimize the vineyards. The wines are better but still high in tannin. In Zacatecas, México, there is a valley that is starting to produce very good Malbecs; the conditions of the valley are similar to the ones in Argentina, but of course there are a few differences. I suggest you make a comparison between a Malbec from Argentina and a Malbec from México. Both are available at Lakeside, so you can compare and taste the differences between them. Maybe because we are used to Cabernets, Merlots and Chardonnays of many different origins, sometimes we can´t appreciate the variations. The Malbec grape, being less propagated in the rest of the world, could provide an excellent chance to compare wines made from the same grape but produced in different regions.

Havoc In Motion By Jay White

Grampaw Bailey and the Tupelo Mule

n the year 1926, my mama’s daddy, Silas Beauchamp Bailey, ran a small farm in southeastern Mississippi, which acreage he cropped for shares. He kept the place in perfect order and raised cotton on it and children—fifteen of them. Mama was the youngest. Grampaw Bailey enjoyed a further distinction thereabout in those days: he owned the Tupelo Mule. Perhaps from time to time in your life you have had occasion to witness mules considered not altogether attractive? The Tupelo Mule was a bona fide pseudo-equine nightmare. Her hide, of several hideous colors, appeared to have been stretched over the skeletal-structure of a giraffe: the neck, long as a man, was topped by a lopsided, watermelon-like head provided by Unrepentant Evolution with the saw-like teeth of a prehistoric saurian and the vast ears of a Jurassic aardvark; and complimenting the ghastliness of her purely physical presence were its psychological aspects—she enjoyed the disposition of a Mississippi River-bottom snapping turtle and was blind in one eye and deaf as a stump. Now, an ordinary mule can kick in any direction with any of its four legs in sequence. The Tupelo Mule could do so with all four legs simultaneously and strike like a rattlesnake at the same time, and she would do so on any occasion that she sensed an entity of whatever description in violation of her security zone—an area that on odd occasions encompassed between three or four feet and the whole of Jackson County. As mentioned earlier, Grampaw sired fifteen children—seven of them girls: Inell, Mildred, Eva, Ava, Annie, Fannie, and Opal (Mama) who was fourteen at that time; all her sisters had been married off the place in their turn, and Mama, the prettiest of them all, became the object of intense interest among the bachelors of Jackson and several surrounding counties. But it did them little good. Grampaw wasn’t ready for his youngest chick to be snatched from the nest, and said so. But they came around anyway. Finally, one of them, Jeeter Potts, a notable smart aleck around town and scion of an antebellum cotton plantation fortune, made

Jay White

such a nuisance of himself that, at last, Grampaw agreed to permit him to spark Mama if he could do so from the back of the Tupelo Mule. “That’s all?” “Yep.” “Where is this animal?” “Right yonder.” The Tupelo Mule stood on a small bluff over Cedar Creek, head down, affecting an easy doze. “Good Lord!” Jeeter exclaimed, “Is that thing alive?” He looked at Grampaw as if he didn’t think the old man could possibly be serious, or if he was he could not imagine what his motive might be. “Mr. Bailey, I don’t know if you are aware of it, but I was raised on horseback. Why, I have broken thoroughbred stallions to the saddle.” “Well, son,” Grampaw said, “I don’t believe you can stay on that beast, but you’re going to have to if you want to come visiting my daughter.” “Then, let’s get at it,” Jeeter said, and stepped off toward the object of his derision. “Better stand back away, Mr. Bailey,” Jeeter suggested solicitously when they arrived. “Things are about to get pu-ritty frantic around here.” Then, with the easy confidence of arrogant youth, he stepped to the Tupelo Mule and settled himself defensively into the concavity of her back as if he didn’t really expect much to happen. And nothing did. He kicked her in the ribs. Nothing happened. He slapped her ears and cussed her; then he leaned back and regarded Grampaw with a sneer. “Hell, old man, there ain’t no buck in this broken down jenny.” “I didn’t say nothing about bucking,” Grampaw told him. “I said you couldn’t stay on her.” At that, as if on cue, she reached around and grabbed Jeeter Potts by the top of his head, raised him off her back and flung him flailing into the creek—all of him, that is, except the top of his scalp. The Tupelo Mule had tonsured him. The operation could not have been achieved more cleanly with a straight razor.

Saw you in the Ojo

BOVICIDE By Beatriz E. García

he United States of America has closed the border to our cattle due to an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease that has appeared in five states of the Republic. El Universal, December 28, 1946 Your great-grandfather was Urbano Velez: blonde with blue eyes, red-cheeked, a very handsome man. He was forty-something years old when he received the money for his cows. Ever since then, he spent every cent he had on mariachis for entertainment in his home, and of course, strong drink. I was a little girl when the massacre of the cattle occurred, and I remember nothing. But because the story has been retold so many times, I remember it all so clearly. My father bought this house that we now live in. In those times this house was considered luxurious; only those of wealth were able to afford adobe, the rest living in shacks constructed of poles and brush. I was not born into poverty, but after the order of then-president Miguel Aleman to kill all the cattle because of the epidemic, we lived from hand to mouth. Although none of us were really sure that the animals were indeed sick, everyone herded their cows and pigs from Tuxcueca to San Nicolas. The soldiers, under the command of Captain Leal of Tizapan, waited for the animals in a canyon carved by a typhoon that had surged from the lake. ─How many animals do you have?

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

─Well, this many cows and this many calves… ─Here’s your money. To insure that the population was not completely devastated economically, the government paid half the going price for each animal killed. My father, who owned many animals, was given five thousand pesos. His brothers received their money as well, but they were wiser than my father and saved their money in order to rebuild their stock. Your greatgrandfather wasted every cent he had received. He was reduced from a man who was used to giving orders to one who took orders from others. There was no other way to survive. For months on end the mariachis serenaded our home day and night. My father was proud and quite happy to see his friends entering and leaving our home, regardless of the hour. The money vanished, the friends distanced themselves, and sadness sealed itself permanently within the walls of this house. Avoiding a collision with cattle being herded along the highway, a well-dressed man asked: ─Where are you taking the animals? ─To those who slaughter them.

─It’s not true that the animals are sick. Don’t believe the government. Go back home. Then began the rumors: all was a lie concocted by the government. The cattle, supposedly infected with hoof and mouth disease, showed no signs of affliction. Whether it was out of ignorance, or for some other reason unknown to us at the time, all were obliged to slaughter their livestock. The animals were put into formation at the foot of the canyon, and the soldiers dutifully fired a bullet into the head of each animal. Later, people from the outlying villages told us that in the dark of the night, trucks would arrive to carry off the carcasses, now without both head and hoofs, to Guadalajara where the meat was delivered to various prisons, and fed to the prisoners. Only God knows if this was true. What my father did see, however, were sacks falling from airplanes flying above the seasonal watering holes. The ranchers claimed that the sacks contained muriatic acid, for after the cattle entered the water to drink, they left with their lips and hooves falling off in pieces. The ranchers further claimed that the animals were contaminated with muri-

atic acid, not infected with hoof and mouth disease. Whatever the cause, the only remedy was to bring the animals to slaughter, and collect from the government. The animals could smell the death: upon arrival at the canyon they simply doubled their front knees and offered themselves in sacrifice. My great-grandfather spoke for many years of that day. Being unmarried, my father’s sister was asked to herd the calves. But once in the canyon, one calf ran off so quickly that neither my father nor the soldiers could catch her. The poor animal arrived at my aunt’s corral. When my aunt opened the gate to allow the calf to enter, she saw the fear in the calf’s eyes. The animal remained mute for life, never to moo again. Later, beginning with this same animal, Rosa once again began to raise cattle. Now without money, without cows, without oxen for the yoke, and with five children, my father… My darling, I haven’t finished telling you of your great-grandfather, and here you are asleep without even taking your milk. But sleep peacefully in my arms, my little angel, while we wait for your mother to return.

Saw you in the Ojo

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

News

October 2009

From the President As usual this time of year, we worried what to do in the event of rain. But, we couldn’t have had a more beautiful day if we had hired the Influential Meteorologist to make all the arrangements! Sunday afternoon, September 13, LCS held the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic in the rear gardens. And “a great time was had by all” as the saying goes! About 140 people came and enjoyed the burgers, salads and yummy desserts! All the volunteers were acknowledged for the excellent work they do, day in and day out, by the members of the board of directors and the other volunteers present, as they were asked to stand by department and then by their length of service. Thank you for all you do! I am very proud to work with each of you! Four Special Certificates of Appreciation were awarded: 1.) To Gil Silverman for creating and developing the LCS Medical Program over a period of ten years! Thank you, Gil, for this wonderful gift to the entire Lakeside community! 2.) To Kenee Campo for creating and maintaining the LCS website. Your loving efforts over a five year period make us wonder how we ever did without this great resource! 3.) To Richard Warmowski for fifteen years of dedicated service as an outstanding volunteer each Saturday morning for the Children’s Art Program. Thank you, Richard, on behalf of the kids! 4.) To Mildred Boyd, longest serving LCS volunteer! Since 1984, Mildred has been a library volunteer, library director, board member and stalwart of the Children’s Art Program over most of those 25 years! Thanks, Mildred for your inspiration and example of service to all of us! Even though all the LCS volunteers are excellent and deserving of praise for all the work they perform on behalf of the rest of us, whether in the garden or in the library or at a special event, I want to take a moment to single out those who have spent their time and talents over the past several months as part of the Work Group. First in weekly sessions and then twice-weekly sessions each Tuesday and Friday afternoon, this core group of volunteers has reviewed and hammered out the wording on the new governing documents for LCS. In fact, on the Mexican holiday Wednesday, September 16, they all spent the day finalizing the draft of the new Constitution that will be proposed to the whole membership in October. This is far from the typical way most of us would choose to spend a holiday, so I want to thank them all here for helping in this important, if unglamorous task! First let me thank our faithful and fast scribe, Hebina Hood; our consultant via Skype, Conrad Lablanc; and our patient and thorough moderator, Terry Vidal. The other members of the group were present when they could be there, some every meeting and some less. But all contributed and I want to acknowledge them all: Dale Blake, Ross Brownridge, Ken Caldwell, Ken Crosby, Howard Feldstein, Beverley Gardner, Nancy Hagen, Fred Harland, Wendee Hill, John Keeling, CB Kelley, Marshall Krantz, Howard Malis, Bob McKeown, Betty and Jim Parker, Bernie Raisman, John Rider, Mary Alice Sargent, Karen Schirack, Betty Schrader, David Seligson, Bert Slocombe, Charlie Smith, Sharon Smith, Jim Spivey, Al Trottier, Sheila Turner, and Lloyd Vickery. This important work had to be completed so that the documents could be distributed to our members at least 30 days ahead of the Extraordinary Membership Meeting in October. In fact, as of the day I write this, the documents are at the attorney for legal review. Then once the board reviews them, the date for the October meeting will be set and announced; the documents will be posted to the LCS website and will be available in printed version at the LCS office. Watch for the announcements. The special meeting in October will be the most important meeting of the membership most of us will ever attend. There the future of LCS will be decided! I trust the membership to read the new documents, become familiar with the proposed new structure for the Society and then vote to bring about the new needed form of LCS. Nancy Creevan

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

LCS

News

New CONTRA Dance Class A new dance class entitled “Contra Dance Basics” will begin on October 13. It is scheduled for Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5 PM in the LCS gazebo, and will run until Thanksgiving. This class is open to anyone of any age or gender. Contra dancing is a form of American folk dancing which is danced in two long lines (think “Virginia Reel”). It has roots in English country dancing, French contredanse, and bears similarities to square dancing and Scottish country dancing. First popular in North America in the 1800’s, it was revived in the 1950’s, and is danced all over the world. This kind of dancing is social, casual, and FUN. Your feet are never asked to do more than walk to the music. You can come to the class alone or with a partner. We will dance to some delightful (recorded) music. It is best to wear light, comfortable clothing and extremely comfortable (flat) shoes, and bring some drinking water along. There is a sign-up sheet in the LCS office, OR you can just drop by and see what it’s all about!

MAJIC JACK has arrived at LCS! All LCS members can now make long distance calls to the US or Canada! We have a telephone connected to a computer for VOIP. Come into the LCS office and see how easy this is! There will be a time limit and we cannot receive incoming calls. Available every day 10 to 2 pm.

October 2009 FRIDAY MUSIC JAM BEGINS OCTOBER 9 BACK AGAIN AFTER A SUMMER BREAK IS THE MUSIC JAM HELD EVERY FRIDAY AT 2:00 PM IF YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND WOULD ENJOY PLAYING WITH OTHERS TRY IT OUT. IN A MUSIC JAM PLAYERS SIT IN A CIRCLE AND TAKE TURNS CHOOSING A TUNE FOR THE GROUP TO PLAY. THE GROUP WILL MEET ON THE PAD UNDER THE AVOCADO TREE OUTSIDE THE VIDEO ROOM.

LCS GARDENS & GROUNDS The rainy season gave us terrific growth in the beds and this month will see a lot of cleaning up, trimming of plants and especially trees. The large avocados on the property are in need of care and a volunteer group, with advice from Roberto of Chapala Tree Service, will be taking on that big project. The huge and gorgeous staghorn fern will be relocated to hang in the front avocado trees, watch for it, it is a fabulous specimen. The work on cleaning the ponds continues with volunteers who have pond experience and are willing to get mucky. We will resume selling fish in the future but right now we have just the right number for the volume of water. And with the assistance of a volunteer with commercial composting experience we will begin to re-evaluate that part of our ground care. With a nod to future space needs the bed to the south of the cafe patio will be changing and the pulmeria there, in the wires, will be relocated. The bouganvilla has been trimmed back, some shrubs removed, the lily patch will move to get more sun and the fence should be covered and colorful within weeks. This area will become a nice grassy extension of the patio. And our little coffee tree has lots of new branches and leaves. If you would like to be involved in the grounds care, email Ken Caldwell at kwcaldwell2001@yahoo.com.

Welcome to our new Webmaster!! FILM AFICIONADOS in the Sala October 8 - LARS AND THE REAL GIRL - A most unexpected twist in this story of a socially inept young man will give you a lot to ponder about human nature. October 22 - DEPARTURES - From Japan an astonishing look into a sacred part of Japan’s soul. October 29 - FUGITIVE PIECES - From Canada, in Polish, Greek and English. A film about the past, memories, and how life can heal us, if we let it. All films in the Sala at 2PM, discussion to follow.

Marci Bowman is busy getting our new LCS website ready to go live in a few weeks! Marci Bowman has lived at Lakeside for a little over a year, first in Las Brisas and currently in Roca Azul. She moved from Colorado where she and her husband lived off-grid in the mountains near Idaho Springs CO. Marci recently retired from working at IBM as a Technical Writer. There she wrote software guides, on-line Help and training manuals as well as maintaining her own little corner of the IBM Intranet. She was also active in Boulder Writer’s Alliance and was Webmaster for the local Webmaster’s Guild. Marci has been interested in the Intranet since its pre-Mosiac days. She and her husband registered their first domain name, scribble-count.com in 1994.

More than 50 Reasons to be an LCS member can be found on our web site www. lakechapalasociety.org under Merchant Discounts! Restaurants; Car care; Beauty; Health aids and other bargains galore!

Saw you in the Ojo

LCS

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

NOTE: Times and offerings are subject to change. Check with the LCS office if you have questions.

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

October 2009 Open Circle Every Sunday morning at 10:00 on back patio at LCS. Everyone is Welcome! October 4 - Toshu Dale on Classical homeopathy: extraordinarily effective healing modality Oct 11 Poe Hearne Oct 18 Dilia Suriel Midlife Radiance Oct 25 Turksya Isha Consciousness Nov 01 Irene Anton

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

www.lakechapalasociety.org ACA Eco Talks on TUESDAY In the Gazebo 12:00 to 2:00 Eco Talks & Food discussions & demos are open to the public. Register in advance at LCS Office and there is a suggested $50 pesos contribution for lectures and a $70 peso contribution for food demonstrations to help cover costs. Questions email us at acaecotalks@gmail.com October 6 - Permaculture - Creating an Edible Landscape.Sueki Woodward October 7 - ABASTOS FOOD MARKET TOUR Food Market Bus Fare for Tours $200 pesos, depart from Ajijic Auditorium at 9 A.M - Signup is REQUIRED. October 13 - Rancho Chimalli- Engaging in social ecological action by Xill Fessenden October 17 & 18 - ACA ANNUAL HARVEST FAIR October 20 - Boosting your Immunity -Doc McGee October 27 - Green Cleaning

LCS

News

October 2009

HEALTHCARE WEEK - OCTOBER 13 - 16 at LCS REGULAR FLU SHOTS Flu shots will be given all week by Lidia Zamudio, 10-12:30. The cost is $300 pesos and there is a registration sheet in the LCS offices. This will be the regular flu shot. Swine flu shots are not available at this time. Monday Tuesday

10-12 blood pressure checks 10-12 lecture 9:30-12 diabetic testing 10-2 osteoporosis testing Wednesday 10-12:30 skin cancer screening Thursday 9-12:30 optometrist Friday 10-3 CPR course -register in the LCS office 10-12 blood pressure

Jan Shiver, director of Medical Services at LCS, is recruiting volunteers for the winter season. There is a special project which would be a short term commitment, much by phone in order to contact medical practitioners and services to verify information and to add new info. Please leave name, phone number & email in LCS office in the Medical Services mailbox.

FRIDAY MUSIC JAM BEGINS OCTOBER 9 BACK AGAIN AFTER A SUMMER BREAK IS THE MUSIC JAM HELD EVERY FRIDAY AT 2:00 PM IF YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND WOULD ENJOY PLAYING WITH OTHERS TRY IT OUT.

IN A MUSIC JAM PLAYERS SIT IN A CIRCLE AND TAKE TURNS CHOOSING A TUNE FOR THE GROUP TO PLAY. THIS JAM WILL FEATURE OLD-TIME TUNES EVERYBODY KNOWS. LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY 16 de Septiembre #16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco LCS Main Office: 766-1140 www.lakechapalasociety.org Office and services open Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday, 10 to 2 and Saturday 10 to 2 Grounds are open until 5

LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Nancy Creevan Vice-President - Open Secretary - Mary Ann Waite Sr. Director 1 for Buildings & Grounds - Kenneth Caldwell Sr. Director 2 for Finance - Roger Borg Sr. Director 3 for Services & Activities - Karen Schirack LCS Education Director - Mary Alice Sargent Business Office Administrator - Terry Vidal

www.lakechapalasociety.org

Saw you in the Ojo

Service

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

www.tel.chapala.com

DIRECTORY * BED & BREAKFAST

ADVERTISING

- CASA DEL SOL Tel: 766-0050

- EL OJO DEL LAGO Tel: 765-3676

* BEER & LIQUOR STORES

* AIR LINES - AMERICAN AIRLINES

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* ANIMAL CLINICS/PET SHOP - ACUARIO REPUBLICA Cell: (045) 333 441 3563 Pag: 60 - ANIMAL CARE Tel: 766-3062 Pag: 65 - DEE’S PET CARE Tel: 762-1646 Pag: 73 - FURRY FRIENDS Tel: 765-5431 Pag: 74 - LAKESIDE SPAY & NEUTER CENTER, A.C. Tel: 766-0821 - PET SHOP Pag: 57 - SALUD ANIMAL Tel: 766-1009 Pag: 75

* ART GALLERIES/HANDCRAFTS - ARTE FACTO Cell: (045) 33 3171 0887 - BELVA & ENRIQUE VELAZQUEZ Tel. 766-0162 - CATHY CHALVIGNAC Tel: 766-5381 - DIANE PEARL COLECCIONES Tel: 766-5683 - DOS LUNAS - EL PALOMAR Tel: 01 (33) 3635-5247 - JUAN CARLOS RICO-GARDEN ART Tel: 765-4689 - REBECCA FORD - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: 765-5097

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

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* BLINDS AND CURTAINS - CABO DO MUNDO - INTERIOR DESIGN Tel: 766-0026 Pag: 21

- VERONICA’S BOOKS Tel: 766-5435

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

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

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* CHURCHES - LAKE CHAPALA BAPTIST CHURCH Tel: 765-2925 Pag: 68, 75

- TODO LIMPIO Tel: 766-0395

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* COMMUNICATIONS * AUTOMOTIVE Pag: 58 Pag: 07 Pag: 51 Pag: 30

* BANK INVESTMENT Pag: 51

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

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

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

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* CONSTRUCTION

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* HEALTH Pag: 07 Pag: 22

- ARQZA - Arq. Francisco Zermeño Nextel: 01 (33) 3700 8329

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El Ojo del Lago October 2009

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- ECOTIENDA Tel: 766-5058 - HYPNOSIS AUDA HAMMETT

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* HEARING AIDS Pag: 08 - GUADALAJARA AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES Cell. (045) 33-1511-4088 Pag: 77

* HOME APPLIANCES Pag: 71

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

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- USA APPLIANCES Tel: 01.800.821.6202 MEX 1.866.558.4071 USA - TECNICOS UNIDOS Tel: 765-4266

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

* FOOD SERVICES

- BEES Tel: 765-7574 - FUMIGA Tel: 762-0078, (045) 33-1155-7059 - FUMI-TECH Tel: 766-1946, Cell. (045) 333-369-3737 - RW SERVICIOS INTEGRADO

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* FINANCIAL SERVICES

- FABULOUS FOOD Tel: (376) 766 1349 - COCINA SAN ANDRES Tel: 766-5614

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- FERRETERIA Y TLAPALERIA GALVEZ Tel: 766-0880, Fax: 766-2440 Pag: 05

* DRY CLEANING/LAUNDRY

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

- GARDEN CENTER Tel: 765-5973

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* ICE CREAM - MANHATTAN

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* INSURANCE Pag: 52 - EDGAR CEDEÑO Cell: (045) 33-3106-6982 - LLOYD Tel: 766-0152, 766-3508

* FUMIGATION/PESTS

* BEAUTY - AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - ANGEL ESTRADA Tel: 766-4666

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

* HARDWARE STORES

* FITNESS CENTER

* BAKERY Pag: 35

* FURNITURE

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- BRENDA’S BAKERY BOUTIQUE Tel: 765-2987

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* AUTOMATIC DOORS

-O&A - MULTIVA Tel: 766-2499

- AJIJIC DENTAL Tel: 766-3682 - C.D. MARÍA LUISA LUIS VILLA Tel/Fax: 766-2428 - C.D. SANDRA ANAYA MORA Tel: 765-3502, 765-5444 - DRA. ANGELICA ALDANA LEMA DDS Tel. 765-5364 - DRA. DOLORES RUSSELL D.D.S. Tel: 766-2881, 766-0075 Cell: (045) 333-108-7727 - DR. ALBERTO DON OLIVERA Tels: 765-4838, 765-4805 - DR. FRANCISCO CONTRERAS Tel: 765-5757 - DR. HECTOR HARO, DDS. Tel: 765-3193, 765-6974

- DEL MAR Tel: 766-4278

* CLEANING SERVICE

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

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* GARDENING

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- AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS Tel: 766 - 4973, Cell: (045) 33-3157- 6536 Pag: 52

766-1760 765-4444 766-5555

Tel: (33) 3124-6151

* DENTISTS

* CEILING FANS

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066 765-2308, 765-2553 766-3615

* BOOKS

Pag: 61 Pag: 29 Pag: 26

- CABO DO MUNDO- INTERIOR DESIGN Tel: 766-0026 Pag: 21 - ELECTRICIAN & PLUMBER Armando Marquez V. Tel: 766-3568 Pag: 66 - HOMESERVICES Tel: 766-1569 Pag: 49 - LAKESIDE CONSTRUCTION Tel: 766-0395 Pag: - PIETRA FINA Tel/Fax: 01(33) 3628-4919, 01 (33) 3677-1713 Pag: 61 - WARWICK CONSTRUCTION Tel: 765-2224 Cell. (045) 331-135-0763 Pag: 67

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

Pag: 26 Pag: 32

Pag: 09

* JEWELRY Pag: 62 Pag: 74

- KAFRÍ DE MÉXICO Tel: 766-4156

Pag: 73

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

Pag: 08

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

Pag: 50

- FARMACIA EXPRESS II Tel: 766-0656 - FARMACIA MASKARAS Tel/Fax: 765-5827 - FARMACIA MORELOS Tel: 765-4002 - FARMACIA SAN PAULO Tel: (378) 763-0506

Pag: 12 Pag: 67 Pag: 71 Pag: 56

* PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Pag: 33 Pag: 73

* MEDICAL SERVICES - BODY SENSE CLINIC - PODIATRIST Tel: 766-6080 Pag: 35 - DERMATOLOGIST Tel: 766-1198, 765-2400 Pag: 67 - DERMIKA Dermatologic Center Dra. Monica Ramos Tel: 766-2500 Pag: 63 - INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST & GERIATRICS Dr. J. Manuel Cordova Tel: 766-2777, 766-5611 Pag: 34 - DRA. MARTHA R. BALLESTEROS FRANCO Cell: (045) 333-408-0951 Pag: 20 - GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS Dr. Héctor Manuel Alvarado Soria Cell: (045) 33-3626-7957 Pag: 73 - HOSPITAL ANGELES DEL CARMEN Tel: (01) 3813-0042 Pag: 11 - HOSPITAL BERNARDETTE Tel: 01 (33) 3825-4365 Pag: 41 - MEDICOS ESPECIALISTAS Tel: 766-5357 Pag: 25 - OCCIMEDGROUP Tel: (01) 33-3825-0000 Pag: 56 - OPHTHALMOLOGIST Dra. María de Jesús Quintero Bernal Tels: 765-2400, 7654805 Pag: 14 - PINTO OPTICAS Tel: 765-7793 Pag: 31 - RED CROSS Tel:765-2308 - SURGERY HOST Tel: 766-3145 Pag: 59

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

Pag: 66

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

Pag: 06 Pag: 18 Pag: 14 Pag: 17

* MUSIC/THEATER - ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE - BALLET FOLCLORICO DE LA UdeG

Pag: 22 Pag: 47

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

* PHARMACIES - FARMACIA CRISTINA Tel: 766-1501

Pag: 68

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

Pag: 25

- RENTAL LOCATERS Tel: 766-5202 - ROMA Tel: 766-3163 - VILLAS DEL SOL Tel: 766 1152

Tel/Fax: 766-1117, 766-3371

* SCHOOLS Pag: 18 Pag: 22

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

Pag: 76

Pag: 73

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

Pag: 69

* SELF STORAGE

* RESTAURANTS/CAFES/CLUBS

- 1ST CHOICE HOMES LAKESIDE Tel: 765-2484 Pag: 31 - AJIJIC HOME INSPECTIONS Tel: 766-2836 Pag: 18 - AJIJIC REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-2077, Fax: 766-2331 Pag: 03 - ALL IN ONE REAL ESTATE SERVICE Tel: 766-1161 Pag: 05 - ALTERNATIVE REALTY Tel: 766-5575 Pag: 20 - ARELLANO CORPORATION GROUP Tel: 766-4696, Tel/Fax: 766-4660 Pag: 42-43 - BUENA VISTA FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-1162 Pag: 65 - CASA MEXICO REAL ESTATE Tel: 766-4088 Pag: 35 - COLDWELL BANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, 766-3369 Fax: 766-2124, Tels: 765-2877 Fax: 765-3528 Pag: 84 - CHULA VISTA NORTE Tel: 766-2177 Cell: (045) 33-3841-8867 Pag: 55 - CIELO VISTA Tel: 766-4867 Pag: 27 - EAGER Y ASOCIADOS Tel: 766 1917, 1918 Pag: 23 - EL DORADO Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 1568 9254 Pag: 70 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 3121-6779 Pag: 76 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-5609 Pag: 72 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 01 (33) 3631-5851 Pag: 77 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-4440 Pag: 65 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 765-4219 Pag: 62 FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: 766-2227 Pag: 58 - FOUR SEASONS Tel: 766-6065 Pag: 69 - GEORGETTE RICHMOND Tel: 766-2129, 766-2077 Pag: 13 - IMPULSA REAL ESTATE Tel: (+52) 669 913 2745 Pag: 33 - JOSEPH KALO Cell. (045) 33 3159 4803, Home Tel. 766-0525 Pag: 48 - LLOYD REAL ESTATE AJIJIC Tel: 766-0040 Pag: 02 - LOS ARROYOS VERDES Tel: (329) 2986-267 Pag: 63 - MIGUEL RUEDA ROMAN Tel: 765-2484 Pag: 28 - RIVIERA ALTA Tel: 766-1169 Pag: 36 - TOM AND DIANNE BRITTON Tel. 766-5249 (home) Cell. (045) 33-1298-5722 Pag: 03 - VILLA OLIVIA Pag: 69 Tel: 766-1069

- AJIJIC TANGO Tel: 766-2458 Pag: 82 - CAFÉ ADELITA Tel: 766-0097 Pag: 52 - CASA BLANCA Tel: 766-1500 Pag: 10 - CASA WAFFLE Tel: 766-1946 Pag: 03 - CHAC-LAN Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326 Pag: 37 - COCINA SAN ANDRES Tel: 766-5614 Pag: 57 - COFFEE & BAGELS Pag: 18 - DAVID’S CAFE Tel: 766-2341 Pag: 67 - EL BAR-CO Tel: 766-0452 Pag: 24 - EL JARDIN DE NINETTE Cell: (045) 33-1410-4064 Pag: 32 - FABULOUS FOOD Tel: (376) 766 1349 Pag: 19 - GO LE CLUB Tel: 766-4747 Pag: 16 - LA BODEGA Tel: 766-1002 Pag: 16 - LA GASCONADE Tel: 766-4937 Pag: 32 - LA NUEVA POSADA Tel: 766-1444, 766-2049 Pag: 03 - “ LA TAVERNA” DEI QUATTRO MORI Tel: 766 2848 Pag: 30 - LA VIEJA POSADA Tel: 766-0744 Pag: 48 - LAS CABALLERIZAS COXALA Tel: 766-0744 Pag: 37 - LOS TELARES Tel: 766-0428 Pag: 57 - MANIX Tel: 766-0061 Pag: 26 - MELANIE’S Tel: 766-4253 Pag: 12 - MOM´S DELI & RESTAURANT Tel: 765-5719 Pag: 09, 71 - NUMBER FOUR Tel: 766-1360 Pag: 29 - PEDROS GOURMET Tel: 766-4747 Pag: 50 - PEPITO’S Tel: 766-2060 Pag: 34 - TALENTO Tel: (33)3915 3565 Pag: 53 - THE GARDEN Tel: 766-1381 Pag: 33 - TOMAS Tel: 765-3897 Pag: 49 - TONY’S Tel: 766-1614, 766-4069 Pag: 73 - YVES’ Tel: 766-1851 Pag: 62

- COLDWELLBANKER CHAPALA REALTY Tel: 766-1152, movile: (045) 33-1175-9632 Pag: 68 - FOR RENT Tel: (33) 3122 -6870 Pag: 75 - FOR RENT Tel: 01 (33)3122 4676 Pag: 70

- COLEGIO DE AXIXIC Cell: (045) 33-1350-4122

Pag: 76

* REAL ESTATE

* RENTALS/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Pag: 15

Pag: 62

- SELF STORAGE-BODEGAS CHAPALA Tel: 766-0661, Tel/Fax: 766-1045 Pag: 66

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

* SPA / MASSAGE - AFRODITA Tel: 766-6187 - BODY SENSE CLINIC Tel: 766-6080 - LA BELLA VIDA Tel: 766-5131 - MONTE COXALA Tel: (387) 761-0111, 761-0326 - RESPIRO SPA Tel: (045) 33-3157-7790 - SILUET CORPOFACIAL Tel: 766-5867 - TOTAL BODY CARE Tel: 766 3379 - VILLA BORDEAUX Tel: (01-387) 761-0494

Pag: 54 Pag: 35 Pag: 33 Pag: 37 Pag: 22 Pag: 17 Pag: 19 Pag: 29

* THERAPISTS - PROFESSIONAL REHABILITATION Tel: 766-5563

Pag: 19

* TOURS - CHARTER CLUB TOURS Tel: 766-1777 - GRUPO TURQUESA Tel: 766-5435 - LOS VAGABUNDOS Tel: 01 (415) 152-3013

Pag: 09, 11 Pag: 69 Pag: 77

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

Pag: 75

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

Pag: 77

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

Pag: 15

*WEAVERS * RETIREMENT/REST/NURSING HOMES - LA CASA NOSTRA Tel: 765-4187, Fax: 765-5815 - LA SAGRADA FAMILIA Tel: 762-1425 - THE BLUE HOUSE Tel: 766-1256

- TELARES LOS REYES Tel: 766-5640

Pag: 26

Pag: 06 Pag: 73 Pag: 49

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

Pag: 66

Saw you in the Ojo

AA- Meets daily at 10:00 am. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm. Marcos Castellanos 51-A. 766-5961. ACÁ- Teaches youths, families sustainable agriculture, Joco and Jaltepec. Meet 14th of month. For more Information 387 763-1568. A COURSE IN MIRACLES- Saturday 2:00 pm 16 Sept #34, Unit 6, 766-4882 No charge. Ongoing. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 904 WING- Meeting 2nd Friday of every month in May, June, July & August. From September to April we meet the 2nd and 4th Friday. Contact Don Slimman 765 4141. AJIJIC QUILT GUILD - Meets second Tuesday monthly. Guests & New Members Welcome. ajijicguild@gmail.com AJIJIC SCRABBLE CLUB- Tuesdays and Thursdays noon-3 pm at LCS Ken Gosh Pavilion. Dan Stark 766-0411. AJIJIC WRITERS’ GROUP- Meets 1st and 3rd Fridays at 10 am. New Posada. Coffee. Meeting followed by lunch at the New Posada. AXIXIC MASONIC LODGE #31- Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact the secretary at 763-5346 for details. AMERICAN LEGION OF CHAPALA POST- #7 General Membership meets 11 am 2nd Thursday. Tel: 765-2259. AMIGOS INTERNACIONALES- Every Wednesday 6 to 8 pm, Nueva Posada; informal friendly group meet to make new friends. AMIGOS DEL LAGO A.C.- Working to improve the ecology. See www.amigosdelago.org or contact us at info@amigosdelago.org. AMITIES FRANCOPHONES- Meets every 3rd Saturday at 1 pm contact: Roland and Camille at 766-0149. rvanhoudt@prodigy.net.mx. ANIMAL SHELTER- Provide shelter and new homes for dogs and cats. Tel: 765-5514. ANITA’S ANIMALS- Free loving dogs and cats. call (01 387) 761-0500. www.anitasanimals.com. ASA- Ajijic Society of the Arts. Meets every 1st Monday of the month at Nueva Posada, 10 am. BRIDGE AT OLD POSADA- Monday 1:15 check in. Mary Andrews 766-2489. BRITISH SOCIETY- Lunch meeting the 1st Saturday of each month, 1pm at Manix Rest. 765-4786, chapalainn@prodigy.net.mx. CARD & DOMINO CLUB- Wednesday, Friday & Sunday. Call for times. We will teach; make friends! Tel. 766-4253, Cell: (045) 33-1295-6485. CANADIAN CLUB OF LAKE CHAPALA- Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through April. Social hour: 3:00 pm, program 4:00 pm. Visit www.canadianclubmx.com. CASA DE ANCIANOS- Provides support for elderly citizens, 765-2497. CENTRO DE DESARROLLO AJIJIC- Provides family planning and reproductive health education. 766-1679. CHILI COOK OFF- Providing a carnival for residents raising charitable funds, 763-5038. DAR- (Guadalajara)- Daughters of the American Revolution, meets monthly Sep. through June. Cell:333-897-0660 or Tel: (376) 766-2284. DAR- (At Lakeside)- THOMAS PAINE CHAPTER meets every 3 Wednesday at 12:30 noon, September thru June. Tel: 766-2981 or 762-0834. EASTERN STAR ESTRELLA DEL LAGO CHAPTER #10- 1st Wed. at 1:00 pm at Hotel Monte Carlo. 766-3785, www.oesestrelladellago.org. E.R.I.C.- Provides support for the construction and renovation of educational buildings. 766-2866. GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS- GA Meeting held every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Doctor’s office at the Lake Chapala Society Charlie K. at cell: 331-445-2136. GARDEN GUILD- promoting the interest in the development of local gardens with an accent on the exotic species available in central Mexico. GERMAN MEETING- 2nd Thursday, 1:00 pm. La Nueva Posada. Call Thea 765-2442 or Hannes 765-3094. GOLDEN STRINGS OF LAKE CHAPALA, A.C.- Rehearsals at auditorio de la Floresta. Tuesday & Friday, 3-6 pm. HASH HOUSE HARRIERS- Every Saturday at 8:30 am at La Nueva Posada. IRISH SOCIETY OF MEXICO- Meets second Monday 4 pm at La Nueva Posada, Ajijic. Contact Brian Cronin, at 765-5071. JUNIOR LEAGUE DE GUADALAJARA A.C.- Av. San Francisco #3332. ligagdl2@prodigy.net.mx, Guadalajara, Jal. Tel. (33) 3121-0887. LAKE CHAPALA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB- Meets every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 1:15 p.m.. www.chapalabridge.com. LAKE CHAPALA GARDEN CLUB-Promotes an interest, appreciation and better understanding of botanical subjects. 766-2637. LAKE CHAPALA SHRINE CLUB.- Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1 pm in the Nueva Posada. Perry King at (376) 763-5126. LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY - LCS- 16 de Sep. # 16-A Ajijic, Open Monday - Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. www.lakechapalasociety.org. 766-1140. LAKESIDE COMMUNITY AWARDS- We benefit all the community by honoring lakeside’s most talented. 766-3232. LAKESIDE LITTLE THEATRE A.C.- Balanced theatrical entertainment, English-speaking, 765-5942. LAKESIDE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF- The 4th of each month. Nueva Posada 10:30 am. Call 766-2280, www.lakesideschoolforthedeaf.org. LAKESIDE WILDLIFE RESCUE & REHABILITATION- Rescue & rehabilitation of wild animals. 765-4916. LAKE SPAY AND NEUTER CENTR A.C.- Provides shelter and helps curtail the over-population of animals. 766-3813. LCS EDUCATION CENTER- Provides classes in language and other topics for both Anglo and Mexican community. 766-0499. LCS STUDENT AID FUND- Provides financial support to area students to enroll in university, vocational and high school program. 766-0716. LINK- Assisting foreign community. Desk at Lake Chapala Society-Monday, 10 am-noon. LITTLE BLUE SCHOOLHOUSE- Provides financial assistance for students at school for disabled children in Chapala 766-1552. LOS NINOS DE CHAPALA Y AJIJIC, AC Providing educational scholarships to Lakeside children 376-766-1688, www.lakesideninos.org. LOVE IN ACTION- Shelter for abused and abandoned children. For volunteers and donations. Anabel Frutos 765-7409, cell: 331-351 7826. MAS- Music Appreciation Society. Concerts from fall to spring. Classical music and dance concerts. For info call Beverly Denton, 765-6409. MISION SAN PABLO- Helping 60 orphaned children ages 2-14 yrs, 7662551. Beaupaton@yahoo.com. www.misionsanpablo.org NAVY LEAGUE, LAKE CHAPALA COUNCIL- Meets the third Saturday for lunch at 1 pm, Manix Rest. 766 4750 or 766-1848. NEEDLE PUSHERS- Benefitting low-income schoolchildren. Every Tues. 10 am at LCS. Call Lynne at 766-5116. NIÑOS Y JOVENES CARAVAN- Delivers foodstuffs and used clothing to orphanage in San Juan. Call Reuben Varela, 01-387-761-0828. OPEN CIRCLE- Fostering body, mind & spirit, every Sunday at the LCS from 10 am to 12 noon. 765-3402 or frankdburton@yahoo.com. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS- Every Tuesday & Friday 12 am at Marcos Castellanos 51-A, in Upper Ajijic. Tel: 766-2575 or 766-1626. PROGRAMA PRO NIÑOS INCAPACITADOS DEL LAGO AC.- Assisting Lakeside disabled children www.programaninos.org , 763-5010. PASOS MILAGROSOS (MIRACULOUS STEPS.)- Helping Handicapped Children Through the Magic of Horses. Saturdays 8-2. www. pasosmilagrosos.com RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS- Meets 1st Wednesday at 2:00 pm at the Sala LCS. New members welcome. ROTARY CLUB OF AJIJIC- Meets every Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Hotel Real de Chapala. Contact at 766-3302. SCIENCE OF MIND STUDY GROUP- Ajijic Center for Spiritual Living. Tuesday 10 am. Call for info: Ann Brandt 765-2037 or email tim@revdoctim.com. VILLA INFANTIL ORPHANAGE- Provides financial support for children. 765-0093. VIVA LA MUSICA - Bus trips to the symphony, summer concert series, call Rosemay Keeling 766-1801. www.ajijicviva.org. VOLUNTEER HEALTH RESOURCE GROUP- Meeting last Saturday of each month at LCS in sala, 10:30. VOLUNTEERS OF THE CRUZ ROJA- Sponsors fund raising events and provides administrative and support services to the Delegation.

(NOTE: If there is any change in the above, please advise us so that corrections may be made. Call: 765-2877)

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

All Saints Lutheran Church Worship Service 11:00 am 4600 Avenida Tepeyac, Guad. Tel. (01 333) 121-6741. Abundant Life Assembly of God Carr. 140 next to Mail Boxes etc, Tel: 766-5615. Center For Spiritual Living Celebration Service, 5pm every first and third Friday, Nicolas Bravo #17 Ajijic. 7669020 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Services in English and Spanish, 10 am, Riberas del Pilar Bishop Wyvell Tel. (376) 765-7067, Bishop’s residence (376) 766-1532. Church of the Holy Spirit Services Sun. 10 am, Albaro Obregon #119, Chapala Tel. (376) 765-4210. Grace Baptist Church 5th Sun. Evening service 6 pm, Pedro Buzeta No. 970, Guad. Tel. (013) 641-1685. Lake Chapala Baptist Church Mid-week service, 9:30 am, worship service, 10:45 am. Santa Margarita #147, Riberas del Pilar, Tel. (376) 7652925, 766-5234. www.lakechapalabaptist.com. 7th Day Adventist meet at Madeira 12 in Rancho del Oro, 9:15 am to Noon. Potluck follows. 765-2165. Little Chapel by the Lake Sun. services 11 am, Chula Vista,. Jal, Tel. (376) 763-1551. Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation Santa Margarita 113, Riberas del Pilar, Tel: 765-6968. For information and service times, please call Pres. Elliot Gould. contact us@lakechapalajews. com. Web site: www. lakechapalajews. com. Lakeside Fellowship Sun. worship 11 am, Javier Mina #49 Ajijic, Tel. (376) 766-0795. Saint Andrew´s Anglican Church Calle San. Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar, Sunday services, 10 am. www.standrewsparish.net. San Andres Catholic Church Services 9:00 am. Ajijic, 766-0922. St. John’s Catholic Church Between Av. Vallarta & Av. Lazaro Cardenas, Guad. Sun. 11am. (013) 121-8131. The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center behind Mateos in Riberas del Pilar (Santa Margarita 113). For additional information call Steve at 766-5507 or email: trudycrippen@earthlink.net. Check out our website at www.lcuuf.org.

CARS BEST OFFER FOR: new tires, battery & brakes. exec. condition, price would include us plates and title in buyers name see car at corner of libramiento near tobolandia park. Contact: Joe Dean @ 766 0782 FOR SALE: Buick-Gran Touring Suspension. I am asking $4900.00 for this car which is below value based on KBB. The car is in great condition and has new tires, new battery and ice cold air. Contact: Dana Richardson FOR SALE: PARTS from 1993 Ford Escort. Most body parts very good; glass, seats, good tyres/rims, etc. Prefer you contact me through PM at www.chapala. com with any questions, Lotta Linya WANTED: Smaller Mexican-plated car or van. Automatic. Max.44,000MP. Good mechanical condition. Contact: John Haskett. FOR SALE: Polaroid portable GPS with Auto mount and Mexico map. Excellent road detail for highways and cities. Includes music player and photo viewer. About 1 year old. Asking $2200 pesos. Contact: Wayne Garding FOR SALE: Trailer 5 X 12 back tailgate goes down so you can load a golf cart on it or extend carring. Capacity 5 X 18 Call Charley Craven @ Tel (387) 761 0076 FOR SALE: Golf car classic, new tires and battery. Looks like a small car. Call Charley Craven @ Tel: (387)761 0076 WANTED: Want to buy car with Texas plates $5000us, year 2000 or later. Contact Frank Raimo

COMPUTERS FOR SALE: Printer HP 722C. High ratings on Google. Good working condition. $75.00 U.S. Contact: Linda Nelson. WANTED: DVR for telecable. I am looking for a DVR in good condition to record telecable. Please call me at 7661756 if you have one for sale. Contact: Joe BEST OFFER FOR: 2.8 ghz Celeron, Windows XP Pro, 512mb Ram memory, Sony DVD Writer, 19” CRT Monitor, 3 Piece Speakers, Keyboard and Mouse. Call Barry Semeniuk @ 376-762-1628

PETS & SUPPLIES FOR SALE: Three year old stud for sale. Call for more information at 7621511. POSITION DESIRED: I WANT TO BE YOUR PET! Reddish gold fur and big brown eyes, and I like other dogs. Just come see me.........please? Call: Rob Parker @ (376)766-0743 FOR SALE: This is a life jacket for a large dog and you can adjust it, it really works, we have used it in the lake. $200 Call: Julie Hensley @ Tel : (376) 765-4590 WANTED: Need dog run, fenced on all sides with top enclosed, any size will serve the purpose. Economical please. Contact: Dusty Ward

GENERAL MERCHANDISE FOR SALE: 27” Sony Trinitron WEGA TV Excellent condition. Works perfectly. Flat CRT, surround sound, 16:9 enhanced

picture resolution for wide screen. Users manual and remote. $2600 mxp Call: Kathy @ 765-7319 FOR SALE: Good basic washer in great shape $100 obo Call: Kevin Knox @ 765-2255 FOR SALE: Nearly new bedside commode. Used only 3 weeks. On wheels w/breaks; padded seat; comfortable arm, back & foot rest. Also excellent for assisted shower. $3000.00 Pesos. Contact: Linda Nelson FOR SALE: Dish TV Receiver Model 311. Used only 3 months. $125.00 U.S. Contact: Linda Nelson FOR SALE: RCA VCR Model VR674HF. Old but works great. $35.00 U.S. Contact: Linda Nelson WANTED: Used or new comb binder that can handle anywhere between 16 and 40 or 50 pages (up to 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch plastic combs). With some comb included if possible. For a nonprofit community group. Contact: M Petela FOR SALE: Nikon N60 35mm SLR w/ lenses. Two lenses, 28-80, and, 100-300, bag, strap, new batteries. Paid $550 USD, Camera World, Portland, Oregon. $600 pesos. I will deliver in Chapala/Ajijic area. Scott-765-2518 or PM. WANTED: I am looking for a chaise lounge, for use in a bedroom as a reading chair. I will consider any condition as I will recover it anyhow. Contact: Eleanor FOR SALE: Corner desk with computer keyboard drawer. Upper portion has shelves and racks to store computer disks. 750 pesos. Call Lorna at 766-2793. FOR SALE: My loss is your gain! 2 month old fully guaranteed Serta Nano Silver king sized mattress. Memory foam pillow top. 10000pesos. 766-4127 or 331601-9464. Contact: mike pierce FOR SALE: EZ-Go Golf Cart - New Batteries 2008. Lots of power. Great condition. $2,500 usd. Call 763-5007 FOR SALE: Starchoice 405 receiver with remote and user’s guide. 1500 pesos. Contact: James Wilson WANTED: We are looking for good used living room furniture, sofa, love seat, lazy boy, ect. Contact: Marty Redmond FOR SALE: I have a bottle of 90 Lipitor from Pfizer, 80mg; take USD or pesos at current exchange rate. $100 USD or pesos. Call: David @ (376) 763-52-48 WANTED: Want to buy a goodquality used men’s adult mountain bike - 26”, handbrakes, gears. Contact: Frank Howell FOR SALE: This is a pair of Heavy Duty Work Shoes that have never been worn. Steel toes. Black in color leather. Shoes for Crews, non Slip and Oil Resistant. Size 11. $400 Pesos Call: Julie Hensley @ 7654590 FOR SALE: This is a great pair of Hiking Boots, worn once, very light weight. Texas Steer leather. Brown in color. Size 11. $300 Pesos. Contact: Julie Hensley @ 765-4590 FOR SALE: 78” overall length “as new” natural (unstained) pigskin-type suede leather equipal sofa. Padded seat and back. (Also available 68” matching unit if desired, same excellent condition.) 1500 pesos OBO. Call: Barb Hess @ 766-2759

Want to trade audio tapes of “Books on tape”. Over 100 books. Call: Donald Shelton. Telephone: (33) 38231086 & (376) 766 040 FOR SALE: I am selling my parents golf clubs and golf bags. If interested please make an offer. Dad was 6’4 and Mom was 5’4. Contact: Dana Richardson FOR SALE: Aluminum Tool Box, for full size pickup truck. Good condition. New ones cost over $800USD. Size approx. 2 ft. X 2 ft. X 5 ft. Sliding interior tool tray. Contact: Richard Bray @ Tel: (387) 763 3223 FOR SALE: Diningroom table “Antigua de Mexico”, old wood and eight chairs, size 2.00 mts. large for 0.80 wide, excellent conditions. 12, 000.00 pesos. Call: Romero Gerardo @ Tel: (376) 7662594 FOR SALE: 1971 Siler Streak “Continental”. Stainless refrig., new toilet, central heat, freezing air. Good condition. New upolstery. Fully equipped. Comes with 15 X 20 screen house. $6,800. usd. Call: (387) 763 1725 or email coleen.johnson@ gmail.com FOR SALE: Nordictrack Powertread Treadmill. Originally cost around 1900.00 U.S..Power incline, adjustable cushioning, folds for storage, hand weight holder with adjustable weights, heart rate monitor and owners manual included. Works great. $400 U.S. Contact: Joy Longo FOR SALE: BKM Scooter, JAZZ Model. Bought new in 2005. Good condition; less than 2000 km; never crashed. Selling because I got a bigger one. Check this model out at: http://www.scootersus.com/ jazz.html USD$500 or peso FOR SALE: iron coffee table, glass top smoked color, rectangular length 38in height 16in asking 480.p; 3 small round metal tables, glass tops, matching, all 3 for 280.p; glass top round table, diameter 42in, tripod bamboo base-400 p Contact: Dusty Ward

FOR SALE: Dresser 6 drawers, rustico, asking 3,900.p Contact: Dusty Ward FOR SALE: Washer-dryer stack, frigidaire, xlarge capacity, gas dryer, height 74in, width 27in, depth 28.5 in, excellent condition, asking 7,400.p new was 11,000.p Contact: Dusty Ward WANTED: Clean, plain, off white, pinch pleated sheers, 78W X 84L. Contact: Gina Rolfe FOR SALE: Polaroid portable GPS with auto mount and Mexico map (only). Excellent road detail for highways and cities. Includes music player and photo viewer. About 1 year old. Asking $2200 pesos. FOR SALE: Digital blood pressure cuff in a carrying case. Also records pulse and time of recording. Has memory for 90 recordings. Less than one year old. Retailed for $1000 pesos. Asking $700 pesos FOR SALE: Super 2 person inflatable and portable spa fully self contained with pump & heater. 6 foot diameter. $5000 pesos. Call 765-2484 FOR SALE: Fisheye lens FC-E8 for Nikon CoolPix digital cameras. Originally developed for scientific or industrial applications, Fisheye lenses are now also widely used in advertising, commercial and general photography. $100usd. Call David Tingen @ (376)765-3676 WANTED: Need used windows, doors, fencing, barbed wire, chicken wire, chain link, metal railings, window security metals, wheel barrel and ladder, any building materials, tiles, sinks, faucets, toilets, wood, rebar etc. Contact: Diane Ward

COLLECTABLE FOR SALE: 50 Mexican talavera plates from Puebla. Still in crates. Different styles and patterns. Safe for hot, cold food or your collection. cardellcalhoun@hotmail. com, or (33) 3656-5701

The Ojo Crossword

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009

Saw you in the Ojo

El Ojo del Lago October 2009