Guadalajara Reporter

LCS Volunteer Party The party held Saturday, April 6 at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) to honor the volunteers was, in the opinion of Jackie Englen, Susan Martin, Jerri Gruber and others who attended, the best ever. To LCS President Jim Penton, the good spirit present among volunteers was an extension of the camaraderie that now exists in the society. Though many of the snowbird volunteers had already flown the coop, there was no shortage of party-goers. More than 200 volunteers and their significant others swarmed over the grounds, enjoying the fun and delicious food. The tables were decorated with beautiful floral arrangements that were raffled off by throwing the identification badges of volunteers attending into a box and pulling out the names of winners. Nancy Creevan, who organized the affair, did a great job. We join the community in thanking all the volunteers already gone or at the party for the good work they do carrying out programs and helping LCS members. Gil Silverman deserves a special serving of praise for the many medical help programs he has been instrumental in bringing to the table. Volunteers all, we salute you.
Booksigning
Virginia Downs Miller will be at La Bodega Sunday, April 21, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to sign copies of her book, "South of Yesterday." The book is the true story of the author's mother's life as young newlywed in Mexico. It tells the story of her parents, who experienced the 1910-1917 Mexican Revolution first-hand, and how they lost their possessions, their land and their dreams. A resident of Ajijic since the early 1980s, Virginia Downs Miller was born in Mexico and spent most of her life in Guadalajara. She was just three days old when her parents and 259 other foreign residents were forced to flee Mexico or face death at the hands of Pancho Villa's troops. The book is a great read.
Neighborly gesture
Hearing that the El Salto/Guadalajara Animal Shelter was out of funds and in urgent need of food for its animals, Geoffrey Kaye, founder and president of the Lakeside Animal Shelter, stepped into the breech with an offer to supply them with food until the crisis is over.
Kaye has put to rest speculation concerning the construction being done adjacent to the Animal Shelter in Riberas. "The land has been purchased and the building will house the new offices and animal clinic of veterinarians Antonio and Hector Ladron," he said this week. Kaye also revealed that the Ladrones would be relocating from their present location in Ajijic sometime in August, when their new facility is scheduled for completion.
Lirio de Chapala
A one-night-only performance by musical group Lirio de Chapala is scheduled Thursday, April 18, 8 p.m. at La Bodega. Restaurant owners Javier and Marta Gonzalez say the group will interpret the romantic music of some of Mexico's most famous and revered composers, including Agustin Lara, Joaquin Pardave, Guty Cardenas, Ricardo Palmerin, Tata Nacho and José Alfredo Jimenez. The music created by these and other composers of the time has been described as "the golden age of Mexican music," and many of their songs became favorites outside Mexico under titles such as "You Belong to my Heart," "Marie Elena" and "Green Eyes." "Veracruz" and "Mi Marimba" are two of this writer's all-time Lara favorites. The range of instruments played by Lirio de Chapala include a harp, guitar, guitarron, harmonica, flute, zither and bass.
La Bodega will be offering diners a choice of three entrees; early reservations are recommended. For information and reservations drop by the La Bodega at 16 de Septiembre 124, or call 766-1002. There is no cover and no minimum. La Bodega is open at Noon, Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Monday.
Canadian Club meeting
Education will be the theme of the next meeting of the Canadian Club Wednesday, April 18, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada.
Jalisco Secretary of Education Guillermo Martinez Mora will talk about the future direction of education in this state, while Conalep Director General Jaime Antonio Paz Arreola will explain the objectives of the high school program (grades 10 to 12) that he administers in Jalisco. Finally, Stuart McCowan of the Education Committee of the Advisory Council for the Municipality of Chapala will outline his group's current activities and identify areas where locals can help in raising educational standards in our community. McCowan and his committee were responsible for raising part of the money to fund the construction of the new technical institute located on the Libramiento.
According to statistics supplied to McCowan by the Chapala Education Committee, the average level of education of students at Lakeside is 4.5 years, as compared to seven years for all of Mexico. Of the 10,000 student attending grades 1-12 in this municipality today, only one percent will graduate from college and only 15 percent will have the opportunity to graduate from grade 12. In comparison, more than 89 percent of students in Canada and the United States graduate from grade 12. Everyone is invited to attend this interesting meeting.
Jazzercise
Depending on the success of a search to find a suitable facility, Leticia Martinez, director of Jazzercise Mexico, will be bringing Jazzercise to Lakeside with Reggie Randall as instructor. Reggie and her husband Randy Randall are familiar in the area for their volunteer activities in many of the local fundraisers for charity.
Jazzercise is a unique exercise program combining exercise with jazz dance movements performed to popular music and suited to all levels of fitness, beginner to advanced. To complete the requirements for certification as an instructor, Randall had to pass a physiology examination, complete training in CPR, and have an audition before Martinez and other certified instructors.
The search is on for a facility that can accommodate a platform for the instructor, a sound system, adequate ventilation and room for students to move freely. Suggestions may be sent to Randall at (376) 766-3751 or Martinez at 33-(3) 640-3537. (Writer's note: Has any thought been given to the Casino Azul, the meeting place and hall that sits directly behind MBE in the Super Lake plaza?)
CASA
The March competition for the Culinary Art Society of Ajijic (CASA) featured Asian entrée and St. Patrick's dessert. Coming in first place in the entrée category was Doreen Gruchawka for her entry of Shrimp and Crab, Napoleon's Thai style. Second place went to Shirley Farthing for Kheang Khieu Wan Kai (game hens in green curry). Vera Stevenson placed third with Pad Po Tak Seafood with Thai green curry.
Hazel Tash placed first in the dessert category for her Shamrock Cheesecake; Gloria Woodman was second with her entry of Irish coffee caramel Mousse; and Aideen Howard was third with her Celtic Mousse.
Judges were Linda Buckthorp, Bill Evers and Rebecca Fujibe -- all three Asian food experts.
For cheesecake lovers, Tash's recipe is printed below.
Chocolate Wafer Crust
INGREDIENTS:
1 (9 oz.) box chocolate wafers crushed
1/3 cup melted butter
Combine crumbs and butter, press mixture on bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10-inch spring-form pan. Place in refridgerator.
Filling:
5 (8 oz) pkgs softened cream cheese
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1-16 oz sour cream
half cup white crème de cacao
half cup green crème de menthe
2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
half cup whipped cream and chocolate mint thin shavings for garnish
METHOD:
Beat cream cheese until soft, add sugar, and beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in sour cream and next three ingredients. Pour in crusts. Bake 350-degrees for 40 minutes. Turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Open oven door; leave cheesecake in over 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Spread whipped cream around outer edge and garnish.
Generous donors
Two Lakeside residents have added to the beauty and comfort for members and visitors to the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) by their generous donations. Geoffrey Kaye donated the funds needed to install tall attractive lighting poles throughout the grounds, adding to the overall beauty of the grounds and also, should the need arise, making it possible for the site to be used in the evening hours.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jerry Smith donated the funds to clean the pools in the front garden and install bacterial filters and waterfall return water systems. The improvements enhance the beauty of the pools for members and ensure the health of the pool's finned residents.
LCS members owe a debt of gratitude to both Kaye and Dr. Smith for their philanthropic gestures toward the betterment of the facility.
The Storytellers
Larry Reeves' Storytellers will have a reading on the LCS gazebo Thursday, April 18, 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to listen to original stories read by their authors. This has become a popular event, don't miss it.
Bilingual and bored?
The Ajijic International Film Festival 2002 is looking for a bilingual volunteer to handle public relations, particularly with Spanish-language newspapers in Guadalajara and Mexico City. The position offers the qualified person an opportunity to become involved with the Fourth Annual Film Festival and become acquainted with the various celebrities that participate in the festival. For additional information call Jim Lloyd at 766-3070 or [email protected].
Navy League
The April meeting of the Navy League will be held Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant. The address is Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. Guest speaker will be Juan Eusranceo Marquez. He is a native of the area, a graduate of Oakhill School, and presently works at the Ajijic Legal and Immigration Service. Eusranceo will speak about the "Spirit of the Lake." The tales he tells have been handed down in his family for generations and will include sightings of UFOs. Everyone is welcome to attend, but reservations must be made by calling Dave Wagner, 766-1848, or Billie Frost at 766-1847. The Navy League is a civilian organization and membership is open to all.

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