LAKESIDE LIVING

Tod Jonson
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Barbara Clippinger
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June 2012

June, is already “busting out all over” and giving us moments to be “singing in the rain.” There is total joy in both things so stay cool and “sing out, Louise!”

Vincent Van Gogh painted one of the world’s most famous paintings, “Starry Night” in June of 1889, the year before he died at the early age of 37…By most standards a brilliant artist, he only sold one painting in his lifetime and died a lonely and tragic death. We at Lakeside will let him rest in peace as we note that June seems to be a great month for art! Now is a good time to visit the local art galleries, and perhaps you’ll find your special ‘Starry’ treasure?

 


Starry Night

 

Education Is a Primary Concern for Lakesiders—Recently, a Lake Chapala Writer’s Conference was held in Lakeside. The heart of the matter was devoted to helping deliver education for the less financially fortunate Mexican children. The Conference, a huge credit to Hebert Piekow, Karen Blue, Kay Davis and Harriet Hart, donated $4000 pesos to two organizations involved in bringing financial help to the educational needy. The first $2000 pesos was donated to the Delegado of the Municipality of Santa Cruz. Hebert Piekow, representing the Conference, did the honors. The second $2000 pesos was delivered to CEO Terry Vidal at the LCS to aid the Collum’s Educational Fund.

 

 

London is really going all out as host in the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games: July 27, 2012. The State of Jalisco will be well represented on the different events at which Tapatios excel. Mexico has stepped up to meet the challenge. Major wins are expected in almost every category.

Juan Grattan (pictured with his sister, Nikki) was just in town to visit his uncle Alejandro, who happens to be the editor of the Ojo. Juan attended Cal Berkeley, majoring in Musicology, and has played with several prestigious groups in San Francisco. Nikki Grattan, who has visited Lakeside several times, has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State, and while still in her teens wrote a profile of famous Lakeside painter Enrique Velasquez, which won a Best Profile Award at an Ojo’s annual awards luncheon.

 


Juan and Nikki Grattan

 

With so many organizations favoring the musical fine arts such as MAS, VIVA, Northern Lights, Los Cantantas, LLT, Naked Stage, and many musical specials presented throughout the years, it is only natural that the sequel to “Phantom of the Opera” titled “Love Never Dies,” (which is being released during June) should attract absolutely all Lakesiders. A short synopsis: the Phantom has been waiting ten long years for his beloved Christina, but let’s be honest! We’ve been waiting 25 years for him. And at last, he’s back! “Love Never Dies” is also being released on DVD this spring. Good thing, too, because seeing it once is simply not enough. Webber has composed a new score, and it’s as stunning as “Phantom.” Webber takes us to melodic places you could never imagine. What makes this musical work, in a word is……… EVERYTHING!

 


Phantom of the Opera

 

The Poetry of Avocado! One doesn’t have to be a poet to enjoy an avocado when the mighty avocado trees of Mexico are alive with ripening green or black knobs of the most delicious and nutritious of “eatin’s.” It is a big seeded fruit that survives in Mexico by the billions. Let’s thank whoever it might be that is in charge of the propagation, spirit, and ripening of the avocado! One of three founders of CASA (Culinary Society of Ajijic) Lakeside’s beloved (but late) Ektor Carranza was marvelous at making a lip-smacking delicious guacamole. His touch was extraordinary because he used all the right things to make it outstanding. Ektor was Mexican, so he knew what was really needed. Ektor’s recipe of the tingler of all times: Guacamole ah la Carranza. This was his favorite recipe.

3 or 4 any size avocados depending on how much you wish to make for an opening dip or salad.

6 to 8 tomatillos, squeaky clean

1 medium jalapeno pepper, definitely seeded because seeds will make it too hot to the tongue

4 heaping tablespoons of minced onion

Salt to taste

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste. Red crushed pepper can be substituted in small quantities.

1/3 cup of minced but fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice. Not frozen, please.

1/2 tablespoon of grated lime peeling grated

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

Boil tomatillos in water for 5 minutes or until tender. Drain, and let cool. Put cooled tomatillos and jalapeno into blender until extra smooth. Smash chunked avocados in a bowl with any kitchen tool. Blend the three together by hand, not machine. Add salt, pepper, onion, grated peeling, lime juice and garlic. Stir until well mixed, add cilantro. Place crackers on the side and serve as a dip, or mold on top of lettuce leaves for a salad at the table. ENJOY TO THE LAST GREEN BITE.

The Ixtlahuacan Cultural Center has exploded with a colorful and vibrant group of acrylic paintings by artist Milo Needle, as well as his great china pen and ink rendering. The quaint village of Ixtlahuacan is stepping into the mainstream of culture with a huge splash saluting “El Ojo de la Aqua.” Art lovers from the Lake valley, city of Guadalajara, and all other surrounding areas should pay a visit to this extraordinary cultural center. Ask any commercial business where the Cultural Center is, and they will tell you: “Right in the heart of downtown on 16 de Septiembre. It’s the one with all the color!” This exhibit opens June 8 at 7:00 p.m. for an unlimited stay.

 

 

Back by popular demand: In the May issue of the Ojo we announced that Lakeside writer/actor, Ed Tasca, recreated a remarkable likeness to the 1936 Franklin Delano Roosevelt, while FDR was vying for his second term as President of the USA. To complete the spotlight on this production written and performed by Mr. Tasca was the stunning Angela Cook as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Other cast members also did a superb job: Jonny Kottler, Harry Hopkins (as special assistant to FDR), Betty Lloyd Robinson, Frances Perkins (Secretary of Labor, the first woman in any president’s cabinet) plus the Narrator, Florette Schnelle, 30’s flapper—all under the skillful guiding hand of director Betty Lloyd Robinson.

 


Angela Cook as Eleanor Roosevelt

 

SING ~~ SING ~~SING; 200,000 Girls Scouts from all around the world will gather on June 9th, 2012 at the base of the Washington Monument to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the “Girls Scouts.” Along with speeches and presentations, the featured event will be a sing-along that may be the largest sing-along ever in recorded history.

 

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: marking 60 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign: celebrations will take place over an extended weekend from June 2nd through June 5th. Thousands of beacons will be lit around the world on June 4th to commemorate her 60 years,. She was Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, and was sitting up in a tree in Kenya gazing at the wildlife below when her father King George VI died in 1952—and at that moment she became the Queen of the United Kingdom at age 25! Queen Victoria is the only Queen to have reigned longer and to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.

 

 

A New Addition to our Society: The Robert Kleffel Auditoriuml There was standing room only at the new auditorium on the campus of the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Chapala on Wednesday, May 23. Friends and educators gathered to celebrate the naming of the recently completed structure, which is now officially The Robert Kleffel Auditorium. Dr. Morris Schwartzblat, President of the Instituto Tecnólogico, after enumerating the educator’s enormous contributions to the Instituto, lifted the veil from the beautiful plaque which will be permanently mounted near the entrance. Robert Kleffel and his charming wife, Bonnie, made short speeches that delighted the audience. We are all very proud of you! Viva la Educacion!

 


Robert Kleffel and Dr. Morris Schwartzblat

 

Kickoff of a New Lakeside Soccer League happened on Friday, May 11, when an enthusiastic crowd gathered in the San Juan Cosala parish to honor young members of Jugando Unidos Soccer League. Juan Tolentino and Alicia Salcido translated into English, as bright new uniforms and shoes were distributed to the smiling players. At a time when Lakesiders are concerned about crime, it is vital for the community to promote wholesome sports activities to occupy the minds of kids which will keep them out of trouble. The League was born to fight crime of any kind. Already it has yielded surprising results, with members showing increased respect for their elders, their peers, and themselves.

Generous donations from local individuals, Restaurante Viva Mexico, and the Racquet Club came forward to give the twelve teams shoes, uniforms and equipment so badly needed, and remained to cheer on the teams. Other members of the public can help by donating to this worthwhile cause. An ongoing need for expense coverage is expected, and any donation will be a big help and certainly appreciated. To make donations and be a part of this huge educational development plan, please call:

Judy: 387-761-0199 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,

Alicia: 387-761-0185 or 915-613-0234, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or John: 387-761-0041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

“Broadway Showstoppers” is exactly what it says:  When Lakeside musical director Timothy Ruff Welch and  talented Jaime Littlejoihn get together to celebrate the musical talents of Los Cantantes del Lago, you know it is going to be an afternoon of sheer entertainment. June 17th at 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. Tickets are $180 pesos and can be acquired at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones, Mia’s Boutique, or from any production member of Los Cantantes.  E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Do you know the difference between margarine and butter? (Margarina and mantequilla?)

*Both have the same amount of calories.

*Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared to 5 grams for margarine.

*Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.

*Butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.
Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are added!

*Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods. Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.

 

Margarine............

Is very High in Trans fatty acids.

Triples risk of coronary heart disease ...

Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)

Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..

Lowers quality of breast milk

Decreases immune response

Decreases insulin response.

Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC. It shares 27 ingredients with PAINT! Open a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things: no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies, will go near it (that should tell you something), it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weenie microorganisms will not find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic. Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast? Share This With Your Friends (If you want to butter them up)!
Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others. Pass the BUTTER, PLEASE

Hoping to see you next month, but leaving you now with the following:

1. A friend is a rare book of which only one copy is made.

2. Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.

 

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