Lakeside Living
By Kay Davis

Phone: (376) 766-4774
or 765-3676 to leave messages
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September 2010

The culinary arts society of Ajijic, known as CASA, featured poultry dishes and cheesecakes at their August meeting. At each monthly event, members present in two different categories; then each dish is judged based on taste and presentation. Members then choose People’s Choice.

President Patrick Winn introduced Chef Eric, who has been creating wonderful dishes at the new restaurant, Hole in One, filling up tables at the edge of a driving range. He spoke about the efforts he makes in presentation of the food, where he buys meat, and the care he takes in preparation.

In the Poultry category, former president Donna Carnall won first place for her Greek Apricot Hens with Curry Couscous. There was a three-way tie in second place: Lee Monaco winning for her Coq au Vin with Rosemary, Sally Myers for her High Street Chicken, and Helen James for her Tagliatelle Chicken with Olives & Sun Dried Tomatoes. Third place went to Michael McLaughlin for his Lemon Herb Big Bird.

In the Cheesecake category, first place went to Diane Pretti for her Caramel Praline Cheesecake. This win also made her a Bing winner (three first place entries in one year). Second place went to Joann Nash for her Oreo Cookie Cheesecake, and third place went to Louise Drummond for her Hazelnut Caramel Cheesecake.

All who would like to join in learning about, preparing, and enjoying good food are encouraged to call Patrick Winn at 766 – 4842. He can also be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and would be delighted to invite those interested to come as his guest.


CASA winners: Donna Carnall and Diane Pretti

The July – August LUAU party at Los Olivos was a big success. Lois Cugini won the hula contest.

 

 
Luau hula winner Lois Cugini (on left)at Los Olivos

 

August 21 there was a dinner at the Hotel Real de Chapala in salute to the US Women activists who won the female vote. Susan Sarandon narrated the film, “One Woman, One Vote.” Did you know how brutally the activists were treated? Yet they endured and won a right to vote that changed not just American perceptions of equality; it changed the world as well. So vote this fall, please.

 

Women’s Suffrage poster

 

Walking the Mourner’s Path is an eight-week bereavement support program open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one and is willing to commit to weekly session workshops. The purpose is to help people begin to heal. Classes will be through Christ Church Anglican Fellowship Diocese of Western Mexico. Application may be made with Danny or Kay Borkowski. Call (376) 766-2495. See www.mournerspath.com.

Local writers are making a lot of news lately. We have a talented group and if you enjoy reading, you’ll be glad to know that the Lake Chapala Society library is stocking some of them—there is now a glass-door cabinet set up for Local Authors in the rear room. Two of the books bought recently are Hollywood & Vine and Whereabouts Unknown by Alejandro Grattan. Hollywood & Vine is a murder mystery set around a former child star struggling to establish himself as an adult performer. It’s a fast-paced story with underlying complexities that keep a reader intrigued. Whereabouts Unknown is set following World War II. Those missing-but-wanted Nazis are attempting to hide in South America while they are hunted by others, including two victims from one of their concentration camps. Unlike stereotypical characters, these will grab you. The LCS library now stocks six of Alejandro’s seven books. Having read all of them more than once, I recommend them highly.

Rob Krakoff had a book signing at the Lake Chapala Society, announcing Future Shock, a futuristic political black comedy novella. The themes focus on corporate greed—an issue of the present era—and the fate of the average man.

Another writer is making a splash lately—Mel Goldberg. Mel entered a competition online with www.sharedpen.com. He won $1,000 USD for submission of the first chapter in his latest murder story. Members voted on which they thought was best. Mel’s winning story opens with a bang, in fact, five of them. I’ve read the second chapter and think it’s even better than the first! So who is this shadowy figure? Mel was born in the Chicago area and taught English Literature and Creative Writing for 35 years before retiring Lakeside with his painter-wife, Bev Kephart

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Mel Goldberg, local writer and winner of $1,000 USD award

 

EVENTS TO COME:

Noche Bicentenario (Bicentennial Night) is coming September 24, 6 p.m. to midnight at the Old Train Station in Chapala. The celebration is organized by a group called Acci?n Voluntaria as a fund raiser for local area orphanages. Mexicans and gringos alike are invited to this dinner, prepared with traditional Mexican foods. Entertainment will include Mariachi music, singers and more. Tickets are $250 pesos each and can be purchased at Coldwell Banker, Tony’s and Hunter Douglas in San Antonio Tlayacapan. This is a positive step, their working together. But there is much to do to help these kids, and you are needed. If you can contribute, bring what cash you can offer and if you have skills that can help them further, they need that too. All in all, it should be a fun evening. Hope to see you!

 

Mexican Independence Day celebrants

 

Los Cantantes del Lago Christmas schedule looks good. The first performance will be December 10 at 7 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera, followed by a second performance on December 12 at 4 p.m. Don’t let the dates confuse you: on December 11 at 8 p.m., they will sing for a CREM benefit at the Auditorio. A small group will also perform at Jaltepec on December 14 at 7:15 p.m. and on December 15 at 12:45 p.m. There will be more on these upcoming shows next month. I can tell you that the group will sport a new look to accompany that fabulous sound.

 

Multiple Events:

The American Legion post #7 schedule for September:

Sundays: 12 – 3 p.m. Legion grill burgers              

Sept   1 – 9:30 – 11 a.m. – US Consulate

Sept   3 – 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Yard Sale

Sept   6 – 12 - 3 p.m. – Labor Day event

Sept 11 – 2:30 p.m. – Recognition for Patriot Day ( 9/11 )

Sept 13 – 5 p.m. – Auxiliary event: Fiesta de México (more info below)

Sept 16 – 9 – 12 McLegion Brunch

Sept 18 – 3 p.m. – Maple Leaf Club: bring botanas to share

Sept 30 – 3 p.m. – Lone Star

Note: Sept 13 Auxiliary Unit #7 sponsors the 9th Annual Fiesta de México Celebration, co-sponsored by La Bodega Restaurant with cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. $150 pesos. “Los Pios” from Guadalajara will entertain for your listening and dancing pleasure. This is an adults only event; tickets and seating limited, advance tickets required. Tickets available at the Lake Chapala Society on Saturdays, at La Bodega Restaurant, or at the Legion. Tequila samples from Don Vito will be featured, along with several raffles. This is an elegant fiesta. Tables of 8 or more prepaid tickets may be reserved by contacting Barbara Prince at 765 – 3418. This was a sell-out last year.

For information, call 765 – 2259 or www.americanlegionchapalapost7.org

Lake Chapala Society President Howard Feldstein addresses the governing documents:

The LCS functions despite four active governing documents that are confusing and often contradictory. Most members remember that last year a very dedicated work group drafted a comprehensive new constitution that required a super majority to pass—it fell short of passage by about 20 votes. The board has recently formed a committee to recommend a final version of this constitution which will then be presented to membership vote at the Annual General Meeting in December.

Lakeside Little Theatre news:

A memorial for Ektor Carranza will be held on September 10 at the LLT where Ektor had created 50 sets over 22 years. Since space is limited, if anyone wants to attend, please contact Pat Carroll (766 – 0954) for a seat.

 


Ektor Carranza

 

Auditions for LLT’s third show of Season 46: Lend Me a Tenor, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Roger Tredway. Auditions for this comedy about mistaken identities and hijinx of “operatic” proportions are scheduled for September 10 – 11. Four women and four men are needed for this play. Performances are December 11 – 19. For scripts and information, contact Roger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Note: This is not a musical. Singing ability is not required.

 

Auditions at LLT for Lend Me a Tenor

 

If you would like to volunteer behind the scenes, the LLT is always looking for people to train in lighting, sound, wardrobe, props, make-up, stage managing and other positions. Contact Don Chaloner at 766 – 1975 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Season Ticket Correction: Lakeside Little Theatre’s Season Ticket Renewals and New Sales Event for Season 46, 2010 – 2011 is on Tuesday & Wednesday, September 14 – 15 in the LLT Lobby from 10 – 1. The Season Ticket price is $800 pesos for six shows. Individual tickets are $150 pesos. Season ticket holders who DO NOT WISH TO RENEW, please notify Paula McTavish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 766-0954 (leave message) as soon as possible.

Season Ticket Holders are invited to the LLT Members’ Kickoff Party September 18 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The Lakeside Little Theatre encourages and welcomes everyone interested in acting, new or experienced, to attend auditions for any of this season’s plays.

An Update on Love in Action (LiA):

Bazaar Coordinator Mary Anne Molinari has recently begun to “pass forward” clothes that do not sell locally; these have minor imperfections.  Recipients include programs organized by Libby Townsend for the Tarahumara Project, Dr. Polo for children at Civil Hospital in Guadalajara; a quilter who makes blankets for needy children; Jean Melnyk of the Little Chapel for people in a mountain village, and Mooney King for the San Juan Church in San Nicolás Village. Many items were sent to help out Atotonilquillo after the disastrous flood displaced 1000 villagers. Thanks to Bob and Sally Salvatore for a table to sort clothing for the Bazaar.

Surplus clothing is distributed in the barrio community of Tepehua in Chapala. Love in Action hopes to restore the building where LiA began, restoring it to a Community Center for skill-related programs. The goal is to restore community pride and respect in one of Jalisco’s most deprived neighborhoods.

The children of LiA would like to thank the many volunteers and donors who contributed to the Pantry Drive last week. And muchas gracias to the Chapala Country Club, Walmart, SuperLake, El Torito and Yola’s Hair Salon for allowing us to set up our “collection booths” at their locations. Drive Coordinator, Bonnie Newman, stated, “In three days the Pantry Drive raised over $12,000 pesos along with two SUV loads of food that we desperately need. This Pantry Drive was so much more successful than we ever expected. We thank the Lakeside community for participating and helping us. I especially want to thank the Mexican community for their involvement which was huge.”  For late donations or information, contact Bonnie at 766-0963 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can read more about this facility at www.loveinactioncenter.org.

 

 

MAS MUSICA (Music Appreciation Society) gets the 2010 – 2011 concert season off to an exciting start with a gratis Gala Kick-off Party for Season Ticket holders on October 15 at La Nueva Posada. The soprano, Jillian Cox, from San Antonio, Texas, will perform opera arias and popular songs as patrons enjoy wine and botanas on the lovely garden terrace of the hotel’s lakeside restaurant, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Season tickets will be sold September 7 – October 15 at the Tickets booth at LCS. Prices remain the same as last year at $1500 pesos, $1200 pesos and $1000 pesos. All performances will be at the Auditorio de la Ribera in La Floresta.

The scheduled season is:

Oct. 26 – Flamenco Dance Gala with Antonio Jimenez and his ensemble of three dancers and four musicians

Nov. 16 – Jalisco Classical Ballet Company presents a Suite from the “Nutcracker” and several “Pas de Dix o Quatra” - a stunning evening of dance

Dec. 14 – Chris Wilshire and his 18 piece Chamber Orchestra will delight guests with unforgettable performances of Corelli, Grieg, Holst, and Copeland   

Jan. 13 – Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, Guadalajara’s world-class symphony with an “Enchanted Evening in Paris – 1910”

Feb. 15 – Bob Milne, Ragtime and Jazz piano virtuoso and historian, is sure to hold us spellbound during this final exciting event of the concert season

MAS MUSICA is always happy to welcome new volunteers to help with ticket sales, hospitality and other concert related duties. Please contact Beverly at 765 – 6409, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also, refer to web site MASajijic.com.

 

Teatro Diana in Guadalajara

 

VIVA! La Musica Season tickets (auditorium, 7:30 p.m.) are still for sale at LCS (10 – 12): Single tickets are $250 pesos for members and $300 pesos for non-members. Add $50 pesos for the opera.

Sep.  14           Ensemble Filarmonica: Luciano Perez; soprano, Dolores Moreno

Note: this is a Tuesday.

Oct.  21            Rigoletto, a fully staged opera, conducted by Luís Rodriquez and directed by Ariel Rios.

Bus trips to the “Live from the Met” Opera series – Viva plans to run a bus to each of the 11 operas that are going to be shown in the Teatro Diana this season. These are on Saturdays and tickets will be available for these trips in September.

Oct. 9               Das Rheingold (Wagner)

Oct. 23             Boris Godunov (Mussorgsky)

Nov. 12            Don Pasquale (Donizetti)

Dec. 11            Don Carlo (Verdi)

Jan. 8               La Fanciulla del West (Puccini)

Feb. 26            Iphigene en Tauride (Gluck)

Mar. 19            Lucio di Lammermoor (Donizetti)

Apr. 9               Le Comte Ory (Rossini)

Apr. 23             Capriccio (R. Strauss)

Apr. 30             Il Travatore (Verde)

May 14   Die Walkure (Wagner)

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