Lakeside Living – May 2016

LAKESIDE LIVING

 

Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529
Email: sandyzihua@hotmail.com

 

May 2016

 

THE BUDDHIST AND HER BOOKS

Karin J. Miles has been a dharma student and guiding teacher of Buddhism for over 30 years. She even, with her husband David Yett, spent two years in Nepal.

 


Karin Miles

 

Over time Karin accumulated over 150 books, and dozens of video and audio teachings. She recently donated her collection to The Heart of Awareness Sangha, which was established in April, 2011 with Karin as teacher. She was recently honored for her contribution to the library and also for her five years of service. She recently retired from active teaching but remains as advisor to the sangha.

A member says, “Her generosities of wisdom, teachings, and materials have been a source of inspiration for practitioners, and are the foundation for whatever benefits may be derived.”

Sunday morning finds many Lakeside residents at the Lake Chapala Society and Open Circle, a forum on a variety of stimulating topics. A social hour with coffee and snacks at 10:00 a.m. is followed by an interesting lecture and discussion at 10:30.

 

 

May 8Palliative Care in Jalisco Presented by Dra. Susana Lua Nava

Dra. Susana will describe what palliative care is, why it is needed, and the status of palliative care in Jalisco. She is dedicated to creating a palliative care and hospice model for Mexico that addresses needs of patients and their families.

 Dra. Susana is the founder of Juntos Contra el Dolor [United Against Pain], the only 24/7 palliative care hospital in Jalisco. She is a graduate of Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and spent three years obtaining a palliative care specialty in the Canary Islands with Dr. Marcos Gomez Sancho, the most highly regarded exponent of palliative care in the Spanish-speaking world. Dra. Susana is also a nun and an author. Aside from serving hospital patients, 65 patients at home, and consulting, she teaches seminars on palliative care for professionals and the public. Juntos Contra el Dolor serves all regardless of socio-economic status, age, race, or religion.  www.JuntosContraElDolor.com.

May 15 Fateful Chance Encounters Presented by Alejandro Grattan

This award-winning novelist and screenwriter/director talked to us a year ago about his career in the film industry. Today his personal story resumes in 1987, when he retired to Ajijic. Hell drop names, describe the Lakeside life then, the founding of the Ajijic Writers Group, and his role in shaping the Ojo del Lago we know today. He says his favorite theme in fiction is how, if were lucky, we may get not what we so desperately craved but rather what we truly need. Its fateful chance encounters that brought him here and gave him the rich life he had searched for elsewhere.

Alejandro Grattan wrote and directed the first movie about Mexican-Americans, Only Once in a Lifetime, which was recently purchased with another film of his, No Return Address, by Turner Classic Movies. He has been Editor-in-Chief of El Ojo del Lago for the past 21 years and established the Ajijic Writers Group in 1988. His seven novels are available on amazon.com.

May 22   Stories from 30 Years of Providing Sex Ed and Medical Services to Women in Marginalized Lakeside Communities Presented by Sylvia Flores

Sylvia will share stories about her efforts to help women and families of the most marginalized Lakeside communities. In the 80s she created a team of leaders who worked to empower these communities. She will tell us how her institution addresses the most important problems like breast and cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy and domestic violence. 

Sylvia Flores is a registered nurse and midwife, founder of Centro de Desarollo Jocotepec A.C (www.cedejo.ORG), a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Lake Chapala families with limited resources through promoting the health and well-being of the family.

May 29 Senior Care Models in Mexico Presented by Wendy Jane Carrel, M.A.

Wendy, a Spanish-speaking senior care specialist, will review continuing care options in Jalisco and Mexico, describing current models and what one might expect.

 


Wendy Jane Carrel

 

She has researched senior health care, housing, and hospice in Chile, Ecuador, and Mexico for over four years. She negotiates Ecuadorian and Mexican health systems for clients and serves as an advisor and liaison for senior care, end-of-life care, and disposition of remains. She is presently assisting with the implementation of a palliative care/hospice model for Mexico created by Juntos Contra el Dolor. See www.WellnessShepherd.com.

June 5  Senderos y Caminos de MéxicoLakeside’s New System for Friendly Hiking Presented by Luis Enrique Ramos

He is a local attorney at law and notary public, and also is a passionate hiker and founder of Senderos y Caminos de México. This not-for-profit organization promotes the conservation and recovery of ancient indigenous paths known as “caminos reales,” as a means to preserve cultural identity. Use of this trail system will educate both locals and visitors about the natural flora and fauna and at the same time offer new job opportunities for economic development. Activities of the organization include defining and implementing standards for marking the trails and offering options for safety and accident prevention while hiking. The organization has also designed a platform via their web site through which hikers can share information.

NOW WE CAN BREATHE

We love our snowbirds and Mexican citizens here for vacation, but isn’t it nice to have peace and quiet restored after high season and Easter festivities? It’s hard on local business people and we’re sorry about that (let’s dine out a lot) but when traffic stretches from Ajijic to Chapala we all welcome the respite.

What’s ahead of us are lazy summer days and looking forward to the rainy season with its spectacular thunder and lightning. What a great life!

GROW YOUR OWN…..

……..vegetables, that is. The Ajijic Organic Vegetable Growers meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 10:00 in the gazebo at Tabarka Restaurant, Rio Zula #7. The next meeting will be on May 11. For information, email John McWilliams at mcwilliamsmx@gmail.com or by phone at 376.766.0620.

There are two websites that gardeners will find very informative: growingyourgreens.com and smilinggardener.com/introductions/why-grow-a-garden.

PLAYS! OPERA! BALLET!

After a fine start last season through its collaboration with London’s National Theatre Live, Lakeside Little Theatre has broadened its Playhouse Series to be a key offering throughout the year.

Reserved seat tickets for each performance are 200 pesos each. Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Here are scheduled performances through August.

Everyman by Carol Ann Duffy, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, May 14-15 

 


Award Winner Chiwetel Ejiofor

 

Giselle by Marius Petipa, May 28-29 

As You Like It by William Shakespeare with Rosalie Craig, June 18-19 

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti, July 16-17 

Cavalliera Rusticana/Pagliacci,  Pietro Mascagni/Ruggero Leoncavallo, August 13-14

Choose and reserve your seat at the time you purchase and pick up your tickets at the LLT Box Office on a first come, first served basis. Reserved seat tickets for each performance are 200 pesos each. Performances are Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

LLT Box Office Hours: Tickets are available for upcoming two shows at a time at LLT Box Office every Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and one hour before curtain. Also reserve tickets at  tickets@lakesidelittletheatre.com or call (376)766.0954.

ALL KINDS OF GOOD THINGS

You won’t want to miss the Lake Chapala Society doings on May 18, starting at 12:30 pm. First, there’s a fashion show, then a surprise raffle. Roberto’s restaurant will cater one of his outstanding lunches. LCS children’s art will be on display and for sale.  The event will be coordinated by Alma Gutierrez.

 

 

Tickets are 200 pesos and are on sale at Diane Pearl Colecciones and at LCS.

ARTIST AT WORK

Artist Nancy Gray has created a poster printed on art paper from her original painting. The work depicts some of Ajijic’s wonderful older buildings, a back strap weaver at work, and the trees and flowers that make the village an interesting and beautiful place to live or visit.

The poster comes framed or unframed.  There are also available note cards, magnets and t-shirts printed with the poster’s design. All of these are available at Sol Mexicano Gallery, Colon 13, Ajijic. A percentage of the profit will benefit the LCS Children’s Art Program

 


From left: Lorraine Farrow, owner of Sol Mexicano, and Artist Nancy Gray

 

LEARN ABOUT THE WAY TO FREEDOM

A retreat with Pema Chödrön will be held May 20 – 22, streamed live from the Omega Institute in New York. The title: “The Way to Freedom – 37 Practices of the Bodhisattva.”  The retreat is sponsored by The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha.

Join the group for this weekend of teachings from Pema Chödrön and explore how to achieve true freedom: “aspiring to awaken from self-imposed delusions about the nature of life.”  The weekend includes talks, guided meditations and question and answer sessions. 

Cost of the retreat is 350 pesos for sangha members and 450 pesos for non-members.  A Sunday brunch is included in the registration fee. The deadline for registration is May 18.

To register, please email retreatshoa@gmail.com.  The retreat will be held at the sangha, Guadalupe Victoria #101.

SCONES AND JAM–AND TEA, OF COURSE

Join new and old friends at the Seniors’ High Tea at LCS on the third Friday of each month, starting at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy conversation and company with sandwiches and scones and strawberry jam. The next event will be on May 20. (We don’t think they’ll ask for proof of age so if you’re a kid of 45 you can probably sneak in anyway).

Reservations are limited to 32. If you want to be on the list, please call 766-1140 between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday to Saturday to reserve your place. Cost is 50 pesos. There is easy, level access at the side gate at LCS.

THEY JUST KEEP ON COOKIN’

Members of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic meet monthly to enjoy cooking—and eating! There is friendly competition and points are awarded on food and presentation. Members prepare one dish corresponding to one of the two categories assigned for that particular month.

 


Recent Winners. From left, Roberta Hilleman, Michele Lococo, Jose Fernandez and Leslie Yanko

 

CASA meets the third Monday of each month at La Mision Restaurant on Rio Bravo, with social time beginning at 3:30 pm (unless otherwise notified). The next CASA meeting will be on May 28.

To inquire about CASA membership, contact their membership chairman, Rick Feldman, or use the website:  casalakeside@yahoo.com.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE DANGEROUS CORNERS

 The next Naked Stage production will be Dangerous Corner, by J.B. Priestley. It’s directed by Michael Warren.

 


From left to right: Douglas Pinkerton, Paul Moreau, Rosann Balbontin, Jim Tipton, Avril Stephenson, Patricia Eyre, Florette Schnelle and Director Michael Warren

 

The truth is often as healthy as speeding too fast around a corner. “And,” a character in the play declares, “life’s got a lot of dangerous corners.” A small chance revelation can trigger disastrous consequences. The author furnishes us with an ingenious situation, a clever resolution, and an unexpected twist at the play’s climax. We don’t want to miss this one!

The Naked Stage is now located at Hidalgo (the carretera) #261, across from the Catholic Church in Riberas de Pilar, just east of the LTH sign on the mountain side.

For more information and reservations, email nakedstagereservations@gmail.com, for those who use Facebook, look for The Naked Stage for breaking news and updates.

LET’S PLAN AHEAD

There’s an exciting 2016-17 season at the Lakeside Little Theatre.  First, there’s a special summer show: Mark Twain, Uncensored, written by Ed Tasca and directed by Barbara Clippinger. You won’t want to miss the wit of these two talented people. The show runs August 23-28.

The 2016-17 season looks like this:

Painting Churches, September 23-October 2

Outside Mullingar, October 21-30

Chapter 2, December 2-11

Death and the Maiden, January 13-22, 2017

Chicago, February 11-28

Second Summer, March 24-April 2

For information on ticket sales, call 376.766.0954 (messages are okay), or email tickets@lakesidelittletheatre.com.

 

 


For more information about Lake Chapala visit: www.chapala.com


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