BITS AND PIECES

Got an hour a week to spare? Celeste Finnegan heads up the English classes for second and now third graders at the Ed Wilkes Center. She NEEDS volunteers to give one hour of their time a week. You work in pairs. You don't have to forego your travel plans,; there are always people to fill the gap in your absence.. Haven't taught before? Sure you have. You taught your children a wealth of information Only Spanish you know is gracias, cerveza, and adios? No problem. You have lots of company. Celeste makes the teaching easy and fun. After years of doing this and constantly refining it, she has come up with an instruction book and the materials that makes it a piece of cake to teach a class of eager learners. Parents are required to bring along a report card when they register their children and there is always a waiting list for the morning and afternoon classes. And now the Lake Chapala Society has generously provided some materials for the classrooms. A "thank you, teacher," comes in many disguises, but the best one of all is one of accomplishment when a Spanish speaking child takes a book written in English understands the words. And that is the first ripple on the pond.

This month, the Garden Guild is hosting their semi-annual luncheon at the Nueva Posada for ladies of the Garden Club in Guadalajara. Margaret Southworth, Suzanne Donlan and Judy Franco are in charge of the menu and the decorations. MAS presents Hungarian Folk Dancing on October 23rd. Please note the performance is on a MONDAY this month. Here is something you shouldn't miss. The Theater Appreciation Group (TAG) will present a staged reading of the 1999 Tony award-winning play, Copenhagen. For three evenings beginning on October 3rd at 7:00PM. at the Nueva Posada. The fifty-peso entry includes a drink with a hefty percentage of the proceeds going to the Red Cross. The performers are Norma Lyerly, Norman Burton, and Harvey Bliss.

Ruben Nuñez and friends are gathering funds to build two more tennis courts at Cristiania Park. The extra courts are badly needed, as are donations. Ruben has set up an account at Lloyds. This man, long associated with Little Theater, has been generous with his time and funds. He gives free tennis lessons to Mexican youngsters and encourages them to be their personal best.. For more information, you can call Ruben at 766 1221.

Flu shots are available at the Chapala Society Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Disposable needles are used and the vaccine comes prebottled from the US. Part of the proceeds are put into the educational fund. The shots are given by a registered nurse. Don't get in the vicinity of the Chapala Society much? You can make private arrangements to obtain your flu shot from a doctor of your choice.