LAKESIDE LIVING

 

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

 

May 2015

 

PAST EVENTS

 

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE MOVIES

And this one was fun! Thriller in Ajijic was written, produced and directed by John Ward. It was first shown last August but he let us see his talent again with a replay last month for a very appreciative audience. The plot, if you can call it that, described the process and problems of putting on the Thrill the World flash dance to the music of Michael Jackson. Local people played the parts. There were way too many people to mention, so I won’t do it.

 


John Ward

 

If you get a chance to see Thriller in Ajijic some other time, go for it—it’s hilarious. The web page for the movie: thrillerinajijic.com. Donations from the film go to the Chapala Cruz Roja.

The next flash dance is October 26, and will be choreographed again by Elliott Joachim.  Elliott says: “We strongly encourage people of all levels, including the ‘hideously challenged,’ on the dance floor. The dance is broken up into very digestible pieces, and the emphasis is on fun, camaraderie and community, and NOT on choreography.” 

Rehearsals start in September. Learn about the upcoming flash dance at ttwajijic.blogspot.mx/. Also, look for a notice in the Guadalajara Reporter.

LOVE THOSE SINGLES

The LCS Singles group is open to all who are single! Their next event is planned for later in May. They can be contacted by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also, their new website can be found at lakechapalasociety.com under Activities and Events, which also has a link for contacting them if you would like to join or learn about events.

 


A Congenial Group Enjoying an Evening at Just Chillin’

 

WHAT A BUNCH OF WINNERS

The Ajijic Society of the Arts—also known as ASA—held its 33rd annual show at the Ajijic Cultural Center in March.  This event is also known as the President’s Show. ASA president is the dedicated Deena Hafker.  She is responsible for organizing the whole show, from start to finish—a monumental task.

 


President Deena Hafker

 

Each category in the show had a first, second and third place award. There was the every popular Best of Show award, won by Jennifer Miller, and the People’s Choice award where attendees voted for favorite pieces in the show. These artist winners were, in order, Gythen Soderman, Marcia Lavender, Herschel Clepper, and Inak Gieysztor.

In order of award, the following artists and their categories were as follows:

ACRYLICS: Marian Decker, Melody Peterson, Linda Dunn, Maryann Linhart.

DRAWING/PASTEL: Betty Peterson, Inak Fieysztor (second and third).

CERAMICS/POTTERY: Frank Howell (first and second)

MIXED MEDIA: Rick Present, Ken Gosh, Kim Eagles, James Roberts. 

OILS: Jennifer Miller, Allan Stephenson, Mimi Gula, Myrna Shreve.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ardelle Holden, Jerry Wolfe, Val Decker. 

WAIT, THERE’S MORE…..

BASKETRY/SCULPTURE: Jan Steinbright, Herschel Clepper, Jan Steinbright.

TEXTILES: Gethyn Soderman, Janice Kimball and Francisco Urzua, Kitt Vincent. 

WATERCOLOR: Stephany Andrews, Enrique Velazquez, Marcia Lavender, Jeanne Winton. 

JEWELRY—METAL: Benjamine (two awards) 

JEWELRY—NON METAL: Ena Rickendorfer (first and second) and Marti Hurley Lopez.

A GREAT END TO THE SEASON

The Dixie Swim Club, directed by Barbara Clippinger, was the final and very well received Lakeside Little Theatre production of the 2014-15 season.

 


Cast members left to right: Georgette Richmond, Candace Luciano, Sharon Lowry, Lynn Phelan and Patsi Karkoff‏.

 

Season tickets are now available for the LLT 2015-16 season, which also promises to be exciting. The plays are as follows:

October 2-11 Murder by Misadventure

November 6-15  Stepping Out

December 4-12  Rumors

January 15-24  Good People

February 19-March 6 Nunsense

March 25-April 3  Other Desert Cities

To reserve season tickets, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the Box Office at (376) 766-0954. The 1100 peso prices includes an annual membership and a reserved seat at each of the six shows.

CARING FOR CAREGIVERS

It’s important to note that we are an aging population here at Lakeside (you hadn’t noticed?)  Modern science has gifted us with longer lives but hasn’t figured out how to deal with some of the problems that arise—dementia being one of them.

 


Left to right: Instructor Wayne Renz, Katherine Smith, Gail Footit, Isabel Van Roon, Sven Nilsen, Paul Bennett.

 

Local resident Karin Miles was recently diagnosed with vascular dementia herself and chose to be proactive. She has started a support group for caregivers and others, called Memory Minders.  One of the first activities growing out of this group is an exercise class organized by Wayne Renz, who also happens to be Commodore of the Lakeside Kayak Club.

The class met for the first time last month. It’s devoted to exercises that help to strengthen the immune systems, cultivate energy and nurture the body. Sharing hugs is an important component, too! 

Other activities of Memory Minders have been visits to local nursing homes and a presentation on healthy and pleasing meals. For more information about the class and the general schedule, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

YOU TOO CAN BE A STAR

Theater lovers got to see experienced professionals and actors new to the stage in a presentation last month at the Bravo! Theatre, in seven scenes from well-known plays.  Roseann Wilshere was the director, with support from Bravo Director Jayme Littlejohn, who both appeared in the showcase presentation.

 


Back row from left to right: Kathleen Morris, Roseann Wilshere, Alysson de Jong, Norb Michel, Douglas Pinkerton, Jayme Littlejohn. 
Front row left to right: Lynn Paris Drebes, Tina Leonard, Judy Long, Barbara Pruitt, Patricia Guy, Diane Jones.

 

The Bravo! Actors Theatre Workshop is run by Roseanne Wilshere. It focuses on scene study, with workshop presentations throughout the year. Anyone may join the workshop, which meets on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The participation fee is 50 pesos.

The theatre is located at Rio Bravo 10B in West Ajijic.  For information about the workshops, theater and coming productions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SQUEAKY WHEEL READINGS

La Rueda (The Wheel), a coffee gallery in San Juan Cosala, stages monthly readings in English. They are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30.

 


Singer/Songwriter Becky McGuigan

 

Writers in April were Margaret Van Every, Robert Drynan, Rachel McMillen, Patricia Hemingway, Mel Goldberg, singer/songwriter BeckyMcGuigan, Judy Dykstra-Brown and Larry Kolczak

The next reading will be on Wednesday, June 3. Singer-songwriters are welcome if they write their own music and lyrics. Writers who want to read, or those needing further information, can contact Judy Dykstra-Brown. Email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please join the group for dinner at Viva Mexico afterwards.

Directions:  At the only stop light in San Juan Cosala, turn towards the lake.  Go one block and turn right at the plaza (on Porfirio Diaz.) Drive two blocks or so, past Viva Mexico on your right.  La Rueda is a half block further west on the right hand side of the road.  Look for the large wheel sculpture on its roof.

THAT’S A GOOD LOOKING BURRO…

and Sheldon James and Restaurateur Yves are handsome, too. On Easter Sunday Sheldon presented Yves with a photo of Vino Blanco, the burro that lives at Yves’ restaurant here at Lakeside.

 


Sheldon James and Yves and Vino Blanco

 

The back story: a year ago a visiting lady brought Vino Blanco an Easter hat and took this picture. Sadly, later that day the hat slipped and she (the burro, not the lady) decided to eat some of it and that was the end of the hat. Sheldon James and his friends wanted to commemorate that event with this year’s gift to Yves of the photo.

The burro was formerly owned by the late Pedro Loco, a colorful expat. The last three years of Pedro’s life he was unable to take care of Vino Blanco and his good friend Yves generously offered to take responsibility for her. One year before Pedro died he sold her to Yves for a symbolic peso. 

Vino Loco can be found daily enjoying the good life at Yves Restaurant at Poniente 493 in Rancho del Oro. She won’t be wearing a hat, though Yves says she has a special one for Mexican Independence Day on September 16. Save the date.

HE’S DONE IT AGAIN

Our local literary light Jim Tipton has won the Penn Cove Literary award for his story, “Plumber of the Year.” This is the fourth time in three years that Jim has won this award for fiction under 1000 words. He’s also won many others for his short stories and poetry. Congratulations, Jim!

 


Writer/Poet Jim Tipton

 

His story is available to read online at whidbeystudents.com/2015/10/april-news-2015.

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

JAZZ AND NO COVER CHARGE

The Blue Velvet Jazz Quartet will play every Thursday in May at 7:30, Ocampo 71 Snack Bar, Ajijic

The quartet also will perform on Saturdays—May 9, 23 and 30—at 7:30, Lago Cafe Ajijic, Carretera Poniente.

Find the Blue Velvet Jazz Quartet on Facebook: blue velvet.jazz trio

THE NAKED STAGE IN MAY

The next production of Naked Stage—May 29, 30 and 31— is Match, by Stephen Belber. It’s  directed by Georgette Richmond. Cast members are Ken Yakiwchuk, Collette Clavedetscher, Fred Koesling 

Here’s the plot: “A reclusive, eccentric Juilliard dance instructor and former choreographer is visited by a  Seattle couple  under the pretense of interviewing the dancer for a thesis on the New York dance movement in the 1960s. However, as the couple’s true intentions are revealed, he finds himself unable to dance around the impact of decisions he made long ago.”

Naked Stage is located at #10A Rio Bravo. The box office opens at 3:15 and the show starts at 4:00 p.m. The email address for reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Reservations guarantee a seat until 3:50, after which seats will be sold to those waiting without reservations.

Naked Stage is located at #10A Rio Bravo. The box office opens at 3:15.

TOUCHING THE PRESENT

Twice a year, in the spring and fall, Heart of Awareness Community sponsors a live-streamed workshop from Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. This spring, a Touching the Present workshop is held May 29-31. The fee is 300 pesos and includes brunch following the final session on Sunday morning.

 


Pema Chödrön

 

The featured speaker is Pema Chödrön, a notable American figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The workshop will be held at Guadalupe Victoria 101A&B, Ajijic. For more information for this , Heart of Awareness website: www.heartofawareness.org. To register, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NEWS FROM VIVA MUSICA

Viva Summer in the Village Concert Series

These performances are at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorio.

Thursday, June 25 Sergio Parra Piano Recital. Beethoven’s Pathetique Piano Sonata; Johannes Brahms,Prelude No.5; and Isaac Albeniz, Asturias.

 


Pianist Sergio Parra

 

Thursday, July 23 Daniel Estrada, clarinet, and Hans Peter Aull, piano.

Robert Schumann,Romances; Camille Saint-Saens, Sonata Opus 167; Francis PoulencSonata (1962) and Arturo Marquez, Zarabandeo

Thursday, August 20 The Serenata Piano Trio: Areli Medeles, cello; Robert Markus, violin; and Rosa Maria Valdez, piano, will perform works by Antonin Dvorak, Manuel Cerda, Alfredo Carrasco, Leo Janacek, Eugene Toussaint and Manuel Ponces Estrellita, written for Jascha Heifitz. 

Viva concert tickets are 200 pesos and are available June 1 at LCS Thursdays and Fridays 10-12 (not in May), at Diane Pearl Colecciones and the Auditorio.

Another Viva Event

The new professional ballet school in Guadalajara, Joven  Ballet de Jalisco, is presenting Romeo and Juliet at the Degollado Theatre. Reviews of their productions have been excellent. Viva is proposing to run a mini-bus to the Sunday, June 14 performance (10.30 a.m. departure) if there is sufficient interest. Bus trip tickets will be $400 pesos for Viva members, $500 for nonmembers.

GROW YOUR OWN….

…vegetables, that is. The Ajijic Organic Vegetable Growers meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 10 at the gazebo at Tabarka Restaurant, Rio Zula #7.

George Radford will be in charge of the May 13 meeting.  He will re-discuss the importance of proper Ph levels in our soil and how important correct levels are to grow vegetables well.  He will also demonstrate his new Ph tester.

Club founder John McWilliams will return to Ajijic for the June 10 meeting.  At that time, Kathy Stamford will give a presentation regarding the importance of honey bees, pollinators and other beneficial insects in our gardens.

Member Chris Logan has recommended an informative and enjoyable website regarding the important role that mushrooms play and about fungi in our soil: www.ted.com/talks/paul stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world #t-8476

New veggie club members are welcome. They can contact John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 376-766-0620.

 

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