“Man of the Year” Awards on May 3rd

Todd Stong is to be honored at the upcoming “Man of the Year” awards on May 3rd, 7:30 at the Auditorium.  Although I don't think he is getting the official man of the year award, I understand he may honored for something even better.  I plan to attend and show my support for Todd and the tireless work he has done for this community over the last eight years.  Please pass this invitation to others who may be interested.—Greg Ochs.

Lake Chapala Green Group May 3, 2011 Meeting

The next meeting of the Green Group will be May 3rd, at 3:00 pm at LCS.  The subject will be "Bio-Dynamic Gardening," with Lois Schroff.

Bio-Dynamic Gardening explores a farming method recommended by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s.  It is now practiced world-wide and may be researched on the internet. Preceding her presentation, we will view the first few minutes of the DVD How to Save the World--One Man, One Cow, One Planet, that reveals Bio Dynamic’s effect in India, as developed by one BD farmer from New Zealand.

Lois Schroff is a professional watermedia painter, and author of two books and a DVD on the subject of Color.  Her research in this area led her to the philosophies of Dr. Rudolf Steiner and the color theory of Goethe, the acclaimed German author and observer of natural phenomena.

Green Buzz: Recycling Center in Riberas

The following 'Buzz' is from Dianne Kocer:

From Janet Zampieri:  Great news! There's now a recycling center at Lakeside - in Riberas, just before the road curves into Chapala, on the Lake side of the road. They take cardboard, any #2 plastic bottles (soda, milk, Clorox bottles, etc.), and tin cans (cat food cans, soup cans, etc.). They pay a couple pesos per kilo, but who cares about that?!  Unless it means that the Mexicans will now start collecting them like they do aluminum cans! We could still use a glass recycler if anyone knows one. Everyone start separating and recycling!

Ed Farnsworth

Celebrating "Earth Day" with the Green Group

Friday, April 22, 2011, 6:00pm

Giving an opportunity to rejoice and be thankful for—Lake Chapala—with its beautiful climate, beautiful vegetation, and beautiful people—a real blessing.

We are suggesting that those who feel inspired to do so join us at La Tasca. The restaurant has a fantastic view! We can enjoy each other’s company, dine, and focus on the sunset, while looking over Lake Chapala toward Mt. Garcia and the many villages on the south side of the lake.

As a way of sharing yourself with others, please feel free to bring poems, songs, or verses. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the beauty of the many facets of our remarkable earth.

Please Join Us (wearing your organic mosquito repellant).

Lois Schroff will be making the reservations, so please, if you want to join us, contact her by calling 766-5606 or email lois.schroff@gmail.com.

Special Event & Movie at Eco Mercado Organico

Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 10AM-1PM
Centro Laguna Mall

This Tuesday at the Eco Mercado Organico we will have 14 rural small farmers visiting who are part of the RASA (the organic small farmers organization, Red de Productores Agroecológicos y Artesanales redcampovivo@gmail.com.) They will have information posters and be telling what they do in their communities for agro-ecology.

The film Food, Inc. will be exhibited at 10.30 am at the market as well.

Thanks to Ivonne Ayala for organizing this!
—MarCia McGee, GTiA 

Lake Chapala Green Group April 5 Meeting—Update

GTiA plans for "Transition Town."

On April 5^th our Green Group Meeting presenters will be several speakers doing short presentations on the new initiatives for Conscious Community formation. This is part of our subcommittee Green Transition in Action, which is working toward a Transition Town concept for Ajijic.

Topics include:

• Alternative Economy: A Complementary Currency System: Olivier Hetzel

• Home and Community Gardens: Lea Ament

• Healing Center and Healers Group: TBA

• End of Life Transition Group: Erk L. B. Slebos RBT GC-C

• Red Cross coordination: Dra. Merie Elena Echeviste de Albe

We hope you will be there to hear our ideas and share your own.–MarCia McGee, GTiA.

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami: How to Give

Give what you can!

If you have iTunes on your Mac or PC, this is easiest. No forms to fill out. (100% goes to American Red Cross.)

Text REDCROSS (in all capital letters) to 90999 to give $10 (American Red Cross).

Salvation Army USA's Japan Donations Page.

American Red Cross at redcross.org.

Cruz Roja Americana. Forma en Español.

Canadian Red Cross at redcross.ca.

Canada: Text the word ASIA, in all capital letters, to 30333 to give $10.

ABC News list of relief organizations.

GTiA Film Series: March 14 Movie

"For the Next Seven Generations"

 Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers from all over the world, "Weaving a Web that Works."

Presented by Green Transitions in Action

Monday, March 14, 2010
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
In the Sala at the Lake Chapala Society

In 2004, thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers from all four corners, moved by their concern for our planet, came together at a historic gathering, where they decided to form an alliance: The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. This is their story. Four years in-the-making and shot on location in the Amazon rainforest, the mountains of Mexico, North America, and at a private meeting with the Dalai Lama in India, For the Next 7 Generations follows what happens when these wise women unite. Facing a world in crisis, they share with us their visions of healing and a call for change now, before it's too late. This film documents their unparalleled journey and timely perspectives on a timeless wisdom.

(Note: This film is somewhat longer than our usual offering—1-1/2 hours—so plan accordingly.)

New Project: “San Antonio Limpio”

Please help reduce the amount of visual contamination Lakeside.

Take down posters for events, garage sales, etc. that have already happened. If the poster, etc. has been partially removed and the date is missing, nobody will know when it will be, so it can be removed. Take down garage sale posters if they do NOT have the date on them. In Spanish, "Ya pasó" means that it has already passed and the Mexicans will know what you are doing. 

Take down "lost animal," job opportunity, and other miscellaneous postings after two weeks. When you first see them, you could note the date right on them.

Some posters are taped to posts. It is easy to cut the tape with a nail file, etc. Some posters are pasted to posts. You can only rip off what you can rip off. CEP Chapala pasted posters everywhere. As the paste dries, they are beginning to peal off the posts.

If you bank at Scotiabank, ask that the hundreds of banners promoting the Northern Lights Festival are removed as quickly as possible.

If you walk, you can carry a plastic bag for garbage. There are tools for picking up trash, or you can use a stick with a nail in the end of it. You will be surprised how many Mexicans and extranjeros say thanks! We live in paradise. Together, we can make it even more beautiful.

Thanks a million.

Nanette & Antonio Enciso
San Antonio Limpio
mas limpio que Ajijic
mucho mas limpio que Chapala

P.S. Our next project is painting graffiti in San Antonio. Anyone who wants to join us, please drop us a note at antonio_enciso_i@hotmail.com or nanette_de_enciso@hotmail.com .

Market, Music and Celebration! March 1 & 8

Anniversary Celebration!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 marks one year since the Eco Mercado Organico began in a small garden in Ajijic. Let's celebrate!

Please add a percussion instrument (or any other you like) as you pack your reusable bags and containers for the market and help us make music at the market tomorrow.

And then, on March 8, the celebration of community continues.  The market is in the morning as usual at Centro Laguna from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Then, come dance to music from the 60's and 70's at Centro Laguna.  The restaurants will open at 4:00 p.m. and the dance starts at 6:00 p.m.