LAKESIDE LIVING

Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 2019

 

OPEN CIRCLE
Sunday morning finds 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.
July 7  Encore! Encore!
Presented by Lila Wells 
Back by popular demand, Lila will reprise last year’s performance of Dave Eggers’ “first person” account of the life of Steven, the Fast-Fast Dog. If you missed it last year, you won’t want to miss it again. To round out the program, Lila will read from the essays of E. B. White, who wrote over 1,800 mostly humorous pieces for The New Yorker magazine from 1925-1976. He is also the much loved author of the children’s classic, Charlotte’s Web. 
Lila has been involved in theatre for over 50 years. Since coming to Lakeside in 2015, she has performed at Lakeside Little Theatre (Nunsense), but has given most of her time to The Naked Stage and The Bare Stage Reader Theatres. She is currently writing with a group of local playwrights in preparation for the Lake Chapala 10-Minute-Play Festival, scheduled for 2020 at Lakeside Little Theatre.
July 14   Exploring the Mystery of Poetry and the Emotions
Presented by Michael Warren
Poetry is a mystery. How is it that words on a page can move us to sing, laugh, or cry?  Michael Warren will explore the connections within the brain of language and emotion and the music of words that a good poem exploits. He will speak about how he discovered that he is a poet and will give examples of poems that effectively work on the emotions. He went through the classic stages of grief after his wife Marianne died in 2004, and then produced a prize-winning sonnet that seemed to write itself.
His book A Particular Blue was published in 2005. His poems also appear in the 2017 anthology Romancing the Muse (2016). For the last several years he has been writing the theatre reviews for El Ojo Del Lago under the title “Front Row Center.”
July 21  Preserving the Sanctuary and Culture of Lake Chapala
Presented by Noris Binet


Noris Binet


Since it was first inhabited by humans, Lake Chapala has been a source of life and a sacred place for healing, renewal and transformation through ceremonies and rituals honoring the life-giving force of the water. Ms. Binet will share how to reconnect with the sacredness that is embedded here, use it for our own wellbeing and for building bridges with the native cultures. 
Visual artist, poet, author, spiritual teacher and sociologist, Ms. Binet lived in Ajijic from 1982- ’89, appointed by the Department of Fine Arts in Guadalajara to manage the Auditorio de la Ribera, integrating locals and foreigners through cultural enrichment programs. She has studied with several indigenous communities including the Huicholes.
July 28  Bloodletting: Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools
Presented by David Ellison


David Ellison


A passionate proponent of high standards, nonetheless during his 35-year career in education as a teacher, teacher-trainer, administrator, and education columnist, David Ellison has fought tenaciously against what has posed as education reform in the United States.
Standardized testing, vouchers, charters, and even the more recent Common Core Standards are destroying public education because, like bloodletting, they fail to acknowledge, much less address the real maladies, what Ellison refers to as “Voldemorts,” those which must not be named.
In his Open Circle presentation, Ellison will briefly review the motives behind the “reform” strategies, cite the data demonstrating their failure, dare to mention the real issues, and end with a bold plan for real reform.
August 4  Leonardo da Vinci—A Tribute
Presented by Ed Tasca
Arguably the most fascinating mind the known cosmos has ever produced, Leonardo da Vinci was a major figure of the Italian Renaissance. This year the world joins in celebrating him on the 500th anniversary of his death. Ed Tasca will attempt to capture da Vinci’s essence but will certainly fall short. As of yet no historian, no biographer, no researcher has been able to come close because of the vast array of his achievements and the complexity of his creative genius.
Ed Tasca is a writer, novelist, playwright, and essayist. Among his books is a collection of Leo’s fables,The Fables of Leonardo da Vinci. Tasca’s works have been published in the US, Canada, England, Australia, Italy, and Mexico. He currently writes a weekly humor column for the Guadalajara Reporter and does some acting.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG
Come on Sunday, July 14 at 4 pm to a benefit at the new location of the BRAVO! Theatre. Entertainment will be furnished by both the Mariachi Real Axixic and the Children’s Mariachi.  We hear they are fun, humorous and interactive. Celebrity bartender Timothy G. Ruff Welch will tend the cash bar, which starts at 3 pm. Tim promises that the drinks will be hand poured and generous.
Founder Jayme Littlejohn said, “The theatre will not be finished but we are anxious to have people see what we have been up to and how wonderful the new space is going to be!”  Tickets are $400 each and are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones, Mia’s Boutique and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The theater is at 441 Hidalgo on the carretera, just west of S&S Autos.
The Bravo! first show will be in August—Unknown Address—a fully staged reading with sets, costumes, lighting and sound.  It’ll be directed by Jayme and stars Roger Larson and Ken Yakiwchuk.  Dates will be announced soon.
ABC
The focus of the Ajijic Book Club is exclusively on nonfiction books. Members may review and discuss books on all subjects and for any time period. The club  also provides members with opportunities for socializing.
On Tuesday, July 30 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari will be discussed at 4 pm at La Nueva Posada in the private dining room. Anyone with interest is welcome but space is limited so they request an RSVP. 
The book selection for the August 27 meeting is Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, and the discussion will be led by Lila Wells. The August venue has yet to be decided. Interested people can reach the club through the website at http://www.ajijicbookclub.com/contact.
The three links at the bottom of the ABC home page are automatically updating to the latest content. This is a great way to follow the NY T times bestsellers list, also Goodreads and the Washington Post.
For information, contact John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


John Stokdijk


SHE’S 97 AND STILL DANCING
Check the photo below (on page 34). Left to right: Lani Ziegler, Fair Borkowski (age 97) and Father Danny Borkowski
Fair and family members Kay and Father Danny Borkowski join the Lakeside Singers once a month at various assisted living homes at Lakeside. The group is an outreach of Christ Church Lakeside. The group welcomes all who want to join in.
Lakeside Singers have no rehearsals, no membership fees, and a singing schedule from 4:30 to 5:30 pm one Wednesday of the month at a home announced ahead of time.  Dawn Radel is the keyboard player.
Their July outing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, at 4:30 p.m. at Ohana’s in San Juan Cosala.  If you are interested in joining in, meeting Fair and want to be on the Lakeside Singers’ mailing list, contact Kay Borkowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


LLT NEW SEASON
We hear from Lakeside Little Theatre about Season 55. It starts a bit later, on November 8, on account of construction and revision activities.
Here is the lineup, plot descriptions and starting dates:
Lunenburg, comedy/drama by Norm Foster. November 8-17
The Real Inspector Hound and After Magritte, two comedies by Tom Stoppard. December 6-15
20th Century Blues, comedy/drama by Susan Miller. January 17-26
My Fair Lady, musical by Lerner & Loewe. February 21-March 3
(Note: LLT is still waiting for rights approval to stage the play).
The Actress, romantic comedy by Peter Quilter. March 27-April 5
Ticket prices are $300 for regular shows, and $350 for My Fair Lady. The price of this year’s season ticket will be $1300 for five shows, including a $300 theatre membership. Starting this year, you can now pay for show or season tickets (at the Box Office only) by credit or debit card.
For season tickets, check This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.lakesidelittletheatre.com for information. A date, time and place for Season 55 Ticket sales will be announced closer to LLT’s reopening, possibly in September. 
GOLF AND BEER IN THE MORNING
The Ladies Foursome by Norm Foster was the June Bare Stage production   Now get a reservation for The Men’s Foursome on July 26, 27 and  28. Both productions are directed by Don Chaloner.
The plot: Rick, Ted, Donnie and Cameron are home for their fifteen-year college reunion, a great time to go out for a game of golf and catch up on each other’s lives. Unlike their college days, the conversation doesn’t include talk of beer and final exams, but of colonoscopies, home-security systems, alcoholism, Buddhism and more.


The cast line up for The Ladies Foursome: Peggy Chilton, Anne Drake, Kathleen Morris and Lila Wells. The Men’s Foursome includes Jon De Young, Graham Miller, Ed Tasca and Tony Wilshere


Bare Stage is holding a competition for best acting  between the two groups. If you came to the June show you can cast a vote for which play you thought best.  Winners will be announced in August.
The theatre is at Hidalgo #261 on the mountain side of the carretera in Riberas del Pilar, across from the Catholic Church. Parking is available in the parking lot of the Baptist Church, behind the theater. 
Donation is $100. The Box Office and bar open at 3 pm.  Show time is 4 pm. Seats are held until 3:50 pm. Reservations are by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  For those who use Facebook, look for Bare Stage Theatre 2018 for breaking news and updates.
NEWS FOR BALLET LOVERS
We hear from Suzanne Salimbene, who tells us that if we want to be informed about ticket sales or the Ballet de Jalisco schedule, or Lakeside sponsorship of a dancer, to send her your email and specify your interest: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Here is the Jalisco Ballet schedule until the end of the year (all performances are at the Degollado):
Carmen            September 6 (8:30), 7 (7:30), 8 (12:30)  CANCELLED
Nutcracker       December 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 (8:30)
December 14, 21 (7:30)
December 15, 22 (12:30)
Swan Lake will be scheduled for some time in the fall before the Nutcracker. It will be performed at the Parque Metropolitan.
FERIA MAESTRO DEL ARTE
It’s not too soon to think about the 18th Annual Feria Maestro del Arte, held on November 8-10 at the Chapala Yacht Club.
Returning and new artists from all over Mexico will demonstrate and sell their works. Buyers also travel from all over Mexico; we are lucky to have such an important event here at Lakeside.
The very best of Mexican artesanía is represented in the fine handwoven carpets and rugs produced in Oaxaca, Mexico. Isaac Armando Martínez Laso, a third-generation weaver from Teotitlán del Valle, began weaving at a very early age. He won First Place for his creation, “Greca Frets of Mitla,” Although Isaac’s speciality is tapete (carpet) wall hangings, he and his family also make floor rugs.


SUCH A DEAL
Breaking Even goes Kindle!  For the bargain price of $4.99 USD, you can enjoy this novel by our own Alejandro Grattan, Editor in Chief of Ojo del Lago.
Here’s the plot:  “This coming of age novel with Mexican-American roots and Hollywood ambitions follows 18 year old Val in his determination to search for his American father, providing Val an escape from a small West Texas town where life has been difficult because his unwed mother is Mexican, and where he is facing a forced marriage to his high-school sweetheart.
The journey leads him to poker games in El Paso; a barroom brawl in Juarez, Mexico; blackjack tables in Lake Tahoe; and a high-stakes private poker party in Reno. Ultimately, the reunion not only gives him the father he’d thought dead but also a new-found pride in his Mexican heritage and the courage to follow his dream.”
Alex got great reviews when the book was first published, like this one: The author is a master at developing characters and issues with which we can easily identify . . .  Grattan shows great understanding of human nature, and of how one’s emotional history can affect future choices.  —The Midwest Literary Review
Check it out on Amazon and support our local authors!

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