LAKESIDE LIVING
Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529
Email: sandyzihua@hotmail.com
May 2018
The May Cultural Festival in Guadalajara this year has the participation of artists from France, Quebec, Germany, Mexico and Poland, and is offering from May 4 to 25 a total of 43 activities in more than 15 locations in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara.
Among the artists who will perform for the first time in Mexico, are French pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque on Sunday, May 20, the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio on Tuesday, May 22. and the pianist Vadym Kholodenko, in a recital on Wednesday, May 23. He will also be the closing ceremony in a concert accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco, led by its director Marco Parisotto on Friday, May 25.
The Festival Cultural de Mayo takes place in the forums and cultural spaces of the State of Jalisco, highlighting the Degollado Theater and the Cabañas Cultural Institute.
Also featured are activities in disciplines such as music (in various genres), exhibitions, conferences, workshops, master classes, cinema, contemporary circus, street entertainment, literature and gastronomy.
The sale of tickets will be through the Ticketmaster system and at the Degollado Theater box office and for the Performing Arts Ensemble event the sale of tickets will be at the local box office or through www.conjuntodeartesescenicas.com
For more information consult the official website: www.festivaldemayo.org or www.facebook.com/festivaldemayo.
OPEN CIRCLE
Sunday morning finds many Lakeside residents at the Lake Chapala Society and Open Circle, a forum on a variety of stimulating topics. A social hour with coffee and snacks at 10 am is followed by an interesting lecture and discussion at 10:30.
May 13 Mariachi Real Ajijic
Dani Medeles, whom you already appreciate as director of the San Juan’s Children’s Choir and Orchestra, will wake us up royally with Mariachi music. This group of (mostly) young musicians is home grown and was formed only a year and a half ago. It is already seen as the best in the Riberas de Chapala area. Their freshness, versatility, and talent make them unique.
They accompany the Ixlahuacan Ballet Folclórico of Ixtlahuacan, Lola la Tequilera, and Paco Padilla, among others. Last summer they toured Costa Rica where they performed in more than ten cities. They have just returned from a performance in the US commemorating the Battle of Puebla.
Performers are Daniel Medeles, Director and violin; Sergio Medeles, violin; Tomás Hinojosa, violin; Héctor Flores, vihuela; Eliseo Olivares, guitarra; Giovanni Orozco, guitarrón; Carlos del Toro, harp; Carlos Torres, trumpet; and Juan Torres, trumpet.
May 20 Four Very Helpful Truths
Presented by Janet Reichert
The presentation will focus on how learning about basic Buddhist teachings and philosophy plus a simple daily meditation practice can help us live our lives more intentionally, with less suffering and, perhaps, a bit of “grace.”
Drawing on personal experience, traditional teachings and modern scientific evidence, Janet will describe the benefits and challenges of intentional mindfulness, and include practical suggestions for how to begin or expand the experience of a helpful meditation practice.
May 27. What Ex-pats Need to Know about Mexican Law
Presented by Juan de la Rosa
As a Mexican resident, what are your rights? As a Mexican resident, what are your obligations? What should you do if you witness a crime? What should you expect from the Mexican authorities if you are involved in a crime? If you are in a traffic accident, what should you do?
Juan de la Rosa will address these and other questions.
Ten years a practicing attorney at law, Juan de la Rosa moved to Chapala with his wife and four children nine months ago after falling in love with the Lakeside people and climate. Through his work he is committed to helping people and looks forward to assisting ex-pats in the local community however he is needed. He is also involved in nature conservation in the Chapala area.
June 3 Why Fit in When You Were Born to Stand Out (or Normal Is Overrated)
Presented by Sydney Metrick
Sydney Metrick
“The most talented, thought-provoking, game-changing people are never ‘normal.’ They usually overcome great obstacles, take surprising routes to their goals, are often dysfunctional and under no circumstances do what people expect them to do,” asserts Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, billionaire, and someone who has ADHD.
People who have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) or other executive function disorders, and even people who are simply divergent thinkers, like those in the arts, have ways of being in the world that might make successes more of a challenge; but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Dr. Sydney Metrick, coach, teacher and author, personally familiar with both failures and successes, offers unwavering support, enthusiastic encouragement, and practical tools and resources to others.
June 10 Experiences with Sathya Sai Baba
Presented by Michael Warren
This is a story of an academic and spiritual journey. Michael and his late wife Marianne were devotees of the Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba for almost two decades during the 1980s and 1990s. Their first of eight visits to his ashram near Bangalore was in 1980. At that time, Marianne was working on her PhD and her topic was the enigmatic saint Shirdi Sai Baba, who died in 1918. Sathya Sai Baba claimed to be his reincarnation. Michael will talk about life in the ashram, classical Indian philosophy, and the charismatic guru Sathya Sai Baba himself.
Michael is a poet and playwright and has published his collected poems under the title A Particular Blue. He is a member of the Not Yet Dead Poets Society and is also a contributor to their 2017 anthology Romancing the Muse. Michael and Marianne were among the original founders of Open Circle—a spin-off from the New Dimensions group—in 2001.
PIG OUT AT THE LEGION
Don’t miss this one—a beautiful Memorial Day service at noon at the American Legion Post 7 in Chapala on Monday, May 28. The service is followed at 2 pm by a mouth-watering pit roasted pig, baked beans, corn on the cob and ice cream. The public is welcome.
There will be live band, raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $250 and are sold at the Legion. Call 765-2259 for information.
A LITTLE ART APPRECIATION
One of the important people in Ajijic’s past is Juanita Reed, lovingly referred to as “La Japonesa”. She lived here for 27 years and took an active interest and role in the ecology and the beauty of Lake Chapala and the villages surrounding it. She founded “Hagamoslo Junto” (We’ll Do It Together), a program to instill community responsibility in local children.
The children spent every Saturday picking up trash all along the streets of Ajijic and returned to her home for sandwiches and milk. She also provided school tuition, uniforms, shoes, medical and dental care. Whatever they needed she managed to provide.
Now she will also be remembered by this sculpture in the malecon, close to her home in Seis Esquinas, that is created by Estella Hidalgo. Many of the workmen who helped build this monument were once part of her Hagamoslo children’s team.
The statue also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Lakeside Garden Guild.
A LOCAL HERO
Dr. Santiago Hernanez and Agustin Vasquez
Agustin Vasquez, owner of Viva Mexico restaurant in San Juan Cosala, is well known for his efforts in helping the community, particularly for establishing Operation Feed after the 2007 tornado that wreaked havoc in the village.
Rotary Club of Ajijic awarded Agustin a Paul Harris* Fellow pin and certificate in honor of his service, at its recent “Man (or Woman) of the Year” award luncheon.
Dr. Santiago Hernandez, incoming president of Ajijic Rotary, spoke in honor of his service to his community and the surrounding area.
There are now 1.2 million Rotary Club members worldwide. The Rotary Club of Ajijic is one of the few English-speaking Rotary clubs in Mexico, and has been serving the Lake Chapala area since 2002. It meets at Hotel Real de Chapala on Tuesdays at 12:00 noon, and guests are welcome.
*Who was Paul Harris? He started the group in February 1905, along with four other men. They rotated the meetings to different offices: hence, “Rotary Club.” One of their first efforts was to oversee the establishment of public toilets for women in downtown Chicago.
A COMMANDING PRESENCE
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson was recently elected Commander of the American Legion Post #7 in Chapala.
Richard served all over the world in the Air Force. His final rank was that of Tech Sergeant.
Here at Lakeside he is active in Have Hammer Will Travel, and works at Todo Bueno resale shop along with his wife Cindy.
Richard identifies himself as a “Type A” who likes to keep busy. He has plans for renovating the Legion’s kitchen. Other projects are in the works.
DO THE HOKEY POKEY
Shown left to right are Doreen Cox, Kathryn Vine, and Laurie Zibnack from Christ Church Episcopal’s “Sing-A-Long” visit to Casa Anastasia.
Tongue in cheek, Vicar Danny Borkowski refers to the Lakeside Singers doing the “Hokey Pokey” as a “deep theological song.”
They sing most Wednesdays at 4:30 at nursing homes and assisted living facilities at Lakeside. Members of the church and their friends welcome new people; there are no rehearsals and no fees.
For information, call Kay Borkowski at 766-2495 or email her at kaybork@yahoo.com.
A BEVY OF BEAUTIFUL GARDENERS
Front row left to right :
Judie Keck, President; Karen Rowell,Treasurer; Erica Pierce, Secretary
Middle row left to right : JeanMarie Harmon, Membership Director ; Nancy Segall, Webmaster ; Karen Calderon,Events Director.
Back row left to right :Barbara Baker, Raffles Chair; Rosemary Grayson,Public Relations Director; Melanie Wolski, Rrograms Chair.
Not seen here: Sandy Feldman, board member and former president.
The Lake Chapala Garden Club elected new board members for 2018 recently.
The club was founded in 1977. It currently has 450 members. It promotes better understanding of botanical subjects, including but not limited to all plant materials, their care and use in the home and garden.
Membership is open to all. The club meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Contact them if you would like to join one of their meetings.
There is a garden tour before the meeting, followed by lunch, a raffle and a speaker. (Cost of the lunch is not included in the invitation). Check the website: lakechapalgardenclub.org.
VIVA LA MUSICA
On Thursday, June 21 at 4 pm Viva la Musica will be giving a concert at the home of John and Rosemary Keeling, with a champagne reception featuring The Marval Duo, Roberto Markus on violin and Rosa Maria Valdez, piano, He is from Slovakia and she is from Sinaloa, Mexico. They will be playing a program of music from Mexico, Spain and Slovakia.
Tickets will be available soon at the Lake Chapala Society Thursday and Friday 10-12 and also at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s boutique and will cost $400.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
We’ve just heard from the planners of Feria 2018, which is November 2-11 this year.
The three Feria coordinators who have a wealth of knowledge about Mexican folk art and the artists in their states are: Linda Hanna (Oaxaca), Brigitte Ordoquy (Chiapas) and Terry Baumgart (Michoacán).
One of the artists Linda Hanna will be introducing to the Feria this year is Alicia Leticia García Blanco ,who makes incredible muñecas (female figures/dolls) and is recognized for her work in Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular OAXACA.
It’s not too soon to think about hosting or volunteering. Contact feriamaestros@gmail.com.
WHAT’S COOKING AT JALTEPEC
Linda Buckthorp , Community Facilitator of Centro Educativo Jaltepec, held a fundraiser recently at her home in support of Jaltepec’s General Scholarship Fund.
Linda says, ‘Twenty yrs. ago, I started with three culinary students seeking scholarships and 15 friends were invited to tour the facilities and enjoy lunch. Now we have added Preparatoria to our two year program, to attain a degree en Hoteleria, I had 16 students this year seeking help with their tuition, and of course tuitions continue to rise annually.”
It was a very good year for Jaltepec, but the General Scholarship Fund is short by $55,000. The fundraiser at Linda’s beautiful home was held to cover the shortfall. She plans to hold another of these events later in the year, possibly in October.
Students prepared and served the luncheon. Musical accompaniment was furnished by Timothy G. Ruff Welch.
To support this fine teaching program, contact Linda Buckthorp at 333-407-8193,766-1631 or email buckthorplm@gmail.com for more information.
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