English-speaking AA meetings: Mondays and Thursdays, 10a.m., at the Catholic Church on the square in La Penita. Use the rear door of the church, up the stairs on your left. All are welcome.

New Organic Coffee Shop in Guayabitos

Tara A. Spears

Who doesn’t appreciate a good cup of coffee? If you haven’t tried organic coffee, you’re in for a real treat when you taste locally grown Café Camila brand at the new shop across from the Guayabitos town plaza, Coffe Nay.  Open daily except Wednesday and Thursday, 7 am til 9 pm, (closed for siesta 2-4 pm.) The location is easy to walk to for grabbing an iced coffee- flavor treasure in a cup- to enhance your day at the beach. Ricardo Cuevas Villagrana and his wife Wendy Figueroa, love what they do: brew the best coffee in JB!

Not only is Ricardo a trained barista but he grew up working in all phases of coffee production. Coffe Nay offers only organic coffee and dozens of specialty coffee beverages that are brewed when ordered. Yes, the Cffe Nay shop accepts charge and debit cards.

For visitors and those new to our coastal area, Mexico grows mostly shade-grown Arabica coffee. Nayarit has the ideal growing conditions for coffee that include high altitude, tropical climate, and shade. In Nayarit the plantations are primarily utilizes organic farming methods which contribute to its unique flavor profile that is characterized by bright acidity and a smooth, clean finish.

In the case of organic coffee, there are no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals used in growing or production, which means cleaner beans, air, land, and water. The coffee is grown with only organic fertilizers, like coffee pulp, chicken manure, or compost explained Ricardo. “I choose to use only organic beans due to their excellent flavor and health benefits.”

The caffeine content in your coffee is influenced by the type of beans and the roast level, not whether it’s organic or conventional. So, whether you prefer your coffee bold and robust or smooth and mellow, rest assured that organic coffee is a flavorful and responsible choice. At Coffee Nay, there are four levels of roast plus decaffeinated beans. You can also purchase various supplemental flavors besides bags of coffee beans.

Once you become familiar with the local brands (and have a translation of coffee related terms) you’ll be hooked on the local specialty coffee beans. In fact, Mexico has been rated in the top ten coffee producers worldwide since the 1990s and the state of Nayarit is currently rated number one for organic coffees.  Bags of local grown organic coffee also makes a lovely gift for friends and family and fits easily into a suitcase. Check out the FB postings for weekly specials.

Ricardo is the third generation of his family in the coffee business. “I love coffee and meeting people” he said. Coffe Nay has a ‘mobile coffee shop’ that you can connect with at the Thursday La Penita outdoor market, the Monday Guayabitos outdoor market and at various events. “I’m proudly Nayarit and believe in the quality of my product.” Ricardo chose to open his business in Guayabitos because it is a vibrant community with good schools for his two sons.

“At Coffe Nay Guayabitos, we feel that natural- flavored coffees are always more appealing than pesticide- flavored. Buy a bag of our delicious coffee and experience the difference.” Taste the difference of Café Camile once and it becomes your number one coffee choice!

In today’s era of specialty coffee, the customer’s appreciation goes beyond the coffee itself. People want to know the land of origin, the methods of the producer, and its environmental impact. Concern is not just for the taste, the cost, but also for the environment impact. At Coffee Nay you can enjoy delicious flavor while honoring your personal values.

Ode to St. Jude: Prequel to Day of the Dead CelebrationTara A. Spears

Consider the observance one of faith or if you are not a believer, honoring San Judas Tadeo October 28 is simply another excuse for a party. To me, the role of the feast of St. Jude is similar to that of a warm up band with the main attraction being the Day of the Dead festival.

I was unaware of St. Jude Tadeo until moving to Mexico and then learned that he has significant importance- he’s the number one saint! Don’t confuse St. Jude with the narco saint-Jesus Malverde, or the bad apostle, Judas Iscariate. This Jude is credited with many miracles and is the go-to liaison with the higher power.  Jude is considered to be a direct intercessor to Jesus Christ as a saint to appeal to in difficult and desperate situations.  People often invoke his help with personal problems, legal problems, work issues and family.

As the saint of lost causes he’s been adopted by the marginalized, the poor, the downtrodden of Mexico. Juvenile and not-so-juvenile delinquents look to San Judas as their personal protector.  Devotees honor the saint by carrying statues and images, lighting green candles, and presenting flowers or handwritten petitions as expressions of gratitude. It is also common to wear or gift medals and bracelets of Saint Judas, symbolizing a request for his protection and guidance. The saint is one of the most venerated saints in Mexico and is historically associated with criminals and organized crime.

Globally, Saint Jude is considered the patron for lost causes. Back when Danny Thomas didn’t have a career he prayed to St. Jude as it was a lost cause. After becoming a TV star, Thomas started building hospitals to St. Jude across the US for terminally ill children because of their bleak outlook.  

According to El Universal, as the patron of impossible causes, St. Jude is the one to whom people turn for help in desperate situations.  Saint Jude Thaddeus is asked for miracles for adverse situations. Mexican devotees turn to him to find employment, financial difficulties or to obtain a house. Saint Jude Thaddeus is acclaimed for his ability to intercede in difficult situations.

One local believer explained the devotion to San Judas Tadeo: “We pray the St. Jude Novena to lead us in prayer for hope and strength during difficult times in our lives and in the lives of others. St. Jude sought to love the Lord through challenging times, so we strive to imitate this same unwavering faith.”

San Judas is depicted with an image of Jesus on his chest, which looks like a giant golden coin. Many of his followers believe he can help them with their money troubles. In fact, St Judas Thaddeus is so popular that you can get related items on Amazon starting at $39.99.

Jude is also depicted holding an axe or a club, which is a symbol of his martyred death, but in the eyes of his believers it has made him the defender of the defenseless, including of thieves and criminals of Mexico’s underbelly.

Just this week I noticed three San Judas altars around town. These devotional altars include offerings as a sign of gratitude and devotion. Typical items can include candles, flowers, or symbolic objects that represent your request or are associated with the saint. Although St Jude’s special day is the 28^th, the altars remain until after the festival of Day of the Dead observance. 

Locally, La Penita has a wonderful 3-day event that includes a parade, Catrina competition, and altar contest-all centered around the town plaza. Another must-see event is the spectacular Las Varas Day of the Dead festival. This town is just a 20 minute taxi or drive to the village.

Regardless of your religion, the observance of San Judas Tadeo and the three-day festival of Day of the Dead is an exciting and colorful event. Be sure to bring your camera to preserve this slice of Mexican culture.

Mexican Folk Dance: Language of the Soul

Tara A. Spears

“Dance is one of the most perfect forms of communication” explains Paulo Coelho. “To watch folk dance is to see into the heart of the people.” Mexico’s various folk dances are a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural richness, with distinguishing features within each dance that is determined by their place of origin. The fledgling dance group, Colectivo de danza de Bahia Jaltemba, dazzled spectators with their outdoor performance at the October 19 Guayabitos Art Show, Las Manos del Arte.

This local folkloric dance troupe is under the direction of maestro Ricardo Machuca Hurtado, who was previously a professional dancer.  Considering that folk art provides a glimpse into the values, aspirations, and shared experiences of a community, folk dance offers insight into a country’s identity.

 Let’s look at the three dances from the performance: La Flor de Pina, Jarabe Mixteco, and La Martiniana.  Originating in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, the Flor de Piña dance has been one of the main attractions of the great Oaxacan festival since 1958. According to Mexico Desconosido, the state governor asked for a dance that would represent the indigenous people of that region. The teacher Solis created the dance of the Pineapple Flower using the melody of the same name by the Oaxacan composer Samuel Mondragón.    

It is said that the costume design was thought out before the choreography and that the teacher Paulina Solís intended to show not only a dance, but the beauty of the typical dresses of the communities of the Cuenca; for this reason, each year the dancers wear beautiful multicolored hand-embroidered huipiles and complement them with braided hairstyles adorned with ribbons and many showy necklaces.  The elaborate choreography requires the dancers to hold pineapples in their arms and at certain moments to bow with them.

Another folkdance is the Jarana Mestizo. It is danced in couples over rhythmic, lively music. This fun, flirty dance is characteristic in that while the feet are tapping away in all sorts of directions, the upper body of the dancer stays erect. The best dancers can dance to the rhythm with bottles of water over their head or even trays filled with glasses without dripping a single drop.

 Mestizo dance is very common in those regions where different cultures or ethnicities have mixed in Mexico, where the influence is not only Spanish but also African. Yucatan gave rise to a rich and wide variety of mestizo dances. In traditional Mexican folk dances, clothing used covers a wide range of possibilitie, from super full skirts to body paint and loin cloth.

The third example of folkloric dance is frequently used in conjunction to day of the dead celebrations. The song La Martiniana is a famous traditional Mexican song, characteristic of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. This song is recognized particularly for its stanza “Don’t cry for me, no, because if you cry, I suffer. On the other hand, if you sing to me, I always live and never die…”     

La Martiniana is a song to life and memory written by Oaxacan Henestrosa about his mother. These lyrics reflect a vision of death that is common in many indigenous cultures of Mexico, where it is believed that the dead live in the memory and celebrations of the living.

Why is death celebrated with folklore in Mexico? It is the end of one cycle and, within the ancestral worldview, the beginning of another. Those who leave want to be remembered with joy, as a traditional song from “La Martiniana,” says, “If you want me to not forget you/ If you want me to remember you/ Sing Isthmus songs, Mom/ music that never dies….”It is believed that Mexican homes can receive their departed loved ones every year with marigold flowers, papel picado, the scent of copal and traditional food such as mole, fruits and bread.

Folk dance is specially designed to use the body and music to convey emotion. One doesn’t need to have training to enjoy watching a troupe of folk dancers.  Their movement to music- the art of Dance– touches your heart while overriding a difference in language. This kinestic mode manifests emotion and artistic expression of the customs, culture, and traditions of a specific region or country. As choreographer Martha Graham said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.”  That’s why the local dance troupe, Colectivo de danza de Bahia Jaltemba, was such a joy to watch at the Art Show Saturday, 19 October.

 

 

 

Passionate about Art: Jo Lorimer

Tara A. Spears

I think of glass artist Jo Lorimer this quote comes to mind: ‘Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.’ Jo has dedicated her life to creating beauty while celebrating color and texture. For the last few years, Jo has broadened her artistic portfolio to add an educational initiative to bring art out of the studio and into the public consciousness in hopes of inspiring a larger sense of artistic enjoyment.

She has tirelessly networked to try to get other artisans to gather for a weekly art market in the plaza. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Glassworks Studio Mx is participating in the upcoming Guayabitos art show, Manos Del Artes’, 19 October from 5:00- 9:30 pm.

If you don’t arrive to Jaltemba Bay until winter, not to worry, because the Art Classes are just starting in November. In addition, the exciting showcase of original glass, Dichroic jewelry, Silk paintings, mosaics and more are on display at the Glassworks Gallery, Calle Reforma 25, La Colonia, north La Penita. You can contact Jo whatsapp 322 109 5924 or FB message Glassworks Studio Mx to register for a class, check the visiting hours of the gallery, or to commission a stained glass piece of art.    

“I have dreamed of having an art gallery since the 1980s,” said Jo. “A couple of years ago I was able to organize a gallery that offers my work and that of the student artists. It is now at the same location as my studio.” Whether it is for your home, a gift or as a souvenir of your vacation, the variety of items in the gallery is spectacular.    

For those new to the Jaltemba Bay area, Jo Lorimer originally started Glassworks, Calle #25 Reforma, as a stained glass material shop. It is where Jo creates and a place for you to get your custom designed windows, doors and glass supplies for the hobbyist. Over the years, Glassworks Studio Mx has expanded into a hub of creative lessons for a variety of artistic media.

You can create stunning functional artwork on your first try!  The cost of the class includes the material needed.

Besides her busy teaching schedule and pursuing her own creative projects, Jo hosts a booth at the Monday Guayabitos market and other events. It is not about sales to Jo, it’s about sharing art with everyone because she believes that art brings beauty into our world and makes it a better place.

Besides her eye for color and composition, Jo’s biggest strength is her passion for creating- it’s contagious!  Those who have taken art classes with Jo have only raves about the experience. “I never thought I was talented but with Jo’s guidance and positive attitude I was pleasantly surprised that my project looked so good!” said one fused glass participant.  Many find the laid-back studio to be inspiring- with all of the art on display it’s easy to get motivated.

 Jo believes that art is important as an intellectual stimulant. A good artist evokes emotions through the intertwining of subject, color, and texture. “I am so thrilled when I create something that evokes feelings in the viewer.”

Art has the intrinsic ability to elevate the commonplace. It lifts the viewer beyond the confines of reality and into another world, such as the use of art to express fantasy or escapism.  No matter which type of medium, art communicates across cultures, tells the stories of the past and present, and inspires minds to do beautiful things. “I need art as part of my life and wish for others to appreciate beauty- to make it, enjoy it and to do it together!” Thank you, Jo,for your inspiration and sharing your talent!