Welcomed back by the children with hugs and chants of "Memo, Memo"

Centenaria de la Revolución is now the official name of Las Joyas. The students welcomed me back with chants of “Memo, Memo” and many, many hugs. It was a joyful reunion. I was excited to see that three honest-to-goodness classrooms are nearly complete. I think folks are hoping for a February occupation. Will be great for the kids. According to current plans three more rooms will be built in time for next year (August) classes. In other words, there will be a real school.

Children can't wait to get into their new classrooms

I continue to teach English to 5th and 6th grade students after school three days a week. Those with good attendance have been invited to participate in the second cooking school conducted by Chef Pepe at his excellent La Gula Restaurante. Classes will be held on the 4 Tuesdays in February. Students learn safety, cleanliness and all facets of the restaurant business … but of course the two favorite parts are preparing the meal … and then eating it. Pictures to come!

Pepe puts on his hat to help the poor children

Clothing – Pre Sale: Word got out fast that I was in town with donated clothes. People representing two other schools have stopped by and bought some of the clothing. It was a difficult decision, holding a pre sale. It means the best clothes never make it to Las Joyas (I’m still using the old name). But there is still plenty and the folks from Los Angeles travel with more than 100 pounds in donations in February and local winter resident Josie has a suitcase waiting for me, so I shan’t feel too guilty. Plus, I have already raised 1,075 Pesos for Las Joyas.

The economy: Worst year in recent history for tourists. There aren’t many. My part of town has been hit particularly hard. I live in a beach area call Madera. I live on Adelita, the main street of Madera. For those of you who have previously visited the area, you may know the street as “Restaurant Row”. Some mighty fine eateries along this street. Well, the city decided that this was the year to put in new sewers. The project looks to be about 6 months in length, right smack in the middle of tourist season. The street is now referred to as “Devastation Row”. Salvador’s is only open nights and is only half filled. The Cyber Café closed at the beginning of construction and will try to open next year. La Gula, the best restaurant in all of Zihua is doing about ½ of normal business

El Perla Negra: If there is any good news out of all of this (besides a nicely paved road next year) is that El Perla Negra is thriving. Long time visitors remember, usually quite fondly, La Casa Café with Lorna at the helm. Her daughter Lisa and husband Abe started their own restaurant 2 or 3 years ago, serving mainly dinners. They were forced out at the end of last tourist season, but have reopened at a great location and are doing breakfasts/lunches in the La Casa Café tradition and after a short break, reopen for great dinners at extremely reasonable prices. Happy to also report that many of the staff from La Casa/El Perla are at the new location (including my secret sweetheart Magda). The place is doing great business. Many of the other local restaurants are wondering what is their secret. I am thinking that great food at reasonable prices with friendly staff might have something to do with it. The less successful restaurants have tried to compensate by raising their prices. Fewer customers … hmmmm.

(For those of you coming in February/March, El Perla Negra is now located at the entrance to Madera, across the street from the canal and the taxi stand.)

Owner Abe and waitress/university student Karen

Niños Adelante Breakfast/Book sales: Niños Adelante is the volunteer organization in Zihua that sponsors poor children with good grades from grade 7 and up including college. Right now they have more than 220 children in the program. The money for support of these children comes from Canadian and American sponsors. I sponsor three children. One great thing about sponsoring the children: 100% of the sponsor’s money goes to the children. Administrative costs are covered by separate fund raisers and donations.

Bernabe (l), Jose Angel and Karen are super book sellers

Each year Niños Adelante hosts two breakfasts to honor the sponsors. Many of the sponsors come to Zihua for at least a week or so each year and the breakfasts are a great way to put the children in contact with their sponsors. I just attended the small January breakfast where “my kids” helped me sell my book. Sales were brisk! I have also had good sales around town. With the large breakfast two weeks away I expect to sell out!!! And before you ask, NO!!! there will be no reprints. This book thing is a lot of work. I am glad I did it, but enough already.

Well I have taken up enough of your valuable time for today. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012, Memo

I ask all of you not to dwell on the ending. Let us all celebrate the success. Over 100 of you became involved in your own and unique way. A book was written to documents your achievements. Hundreds of Mexican families are better off because of your efforts. You are the Beautiful Americans … and Canadians … and Danes … and Brits.

Isabella and Johnny send me off with a song

Book sighting: I would like to share a personally amusing moment. Zihua friend Josie and her husband love to travel. This summer they were in Homer, Alaska and Josie was in the Homer Public Library and she delightfully reports there is a copy of my book (Journey to Zihuatanejo) available for patrons. How these things occur make for entertaining guesses. Small, small world!

Speaking of reading: I want to thank you, the readers of this Blog. The Blog is now in its 5th year. This is my 85th (and longest) post. I started with about 60 readers on my first post. Today I have 263 on the list. Not all who receive this link read the posts. But other people find their way to the site. I had about 3,100 visitors to my Blog in 2011. Of course some of you came visiting more than once, but still there were still lots of folks that stumbled onto the site. Since the Blog began I have had 17,853 visitors and counting. According to the Blog statistics I had visitors from 6 continents. Makes a guy smile!

Now I want to salute some folks who helped make this last trip the biggest and best ever. May you all receive infinite good karma. (Readers, please note how far and wide the gifts come from.)

Contributions – Clothes: I asked if any of you had some children’s clothes. What’s that expression… “Beware what you ask for”. I received a mountain of replies. Two 7-foot mountains to be more exact. One 7-foot stack is here in Las Cruces. Another awaits travel orders in the Los Angeles area. SuperHero and wise Trojan fan V used Facebook to organize an army of donors (including Ally, Vivian, Meg, Rachelle, Sue, Terri and Kamla) in the Greater San Francisco area and sent me 4 large boxes of children’s clothes. Las Cruces donors included friend Barb (known to me as Aunt B) and Estella, Kelly and Lanee (from the Las Cruces Public Library). Other donors include longtime friends Ayala and Jeanne (Southern California areas), Paul and Kathie (Midwest) and Josie (from Zihua). Matt is the winner of the contribution that traveled the longest distance. His donation comes from near Cambridge, England!

Contributions – $$$: I received the largest single financial donation yet. Most of the money will go to supplement the meager pay of the teachers from Las Joyas. The donation is on behalf of the Ratter family. There is a story that goes with the pledge and I am reprinting it at the end of this post. The story gives me Happy Tears. Hope you will read it. Meanwhile, a big MUCHAS GRACIAS to the Ratter Family and spouses: Patriarchs Bill and Mary (Napa, CA), sons, daughters and in-laws Rich and Missy (Annapolis, MD), Joel and Joy (Riverside, CA), Jeff and Cindy (Encinitas, CA), David and Christine (Napa, CA), Jonathan (San Pedro, CA), Steve and Max (Los Angeles, CA). I also received a very generous donation from Barge girlfriend Sally (Chicago, IL) and a nice pledge from Irv and Claudia (Sacramento, CA).

Memo and 4 underpaid teachers at Las Joyas

Contributions – Transportation Workers Supremo: Almost none of this would be possible without my Clueless (ed. Click to read.) friend and part-time boss and his wife and associates: Ken, Denise and Rocco, Andy and Jen, Pam and Willa. These strong, (mostly) willing bodies will be lugging the other 7-foot mountain of clothes from the Los Angeles area. They will be arriving just in time for the February clothing sale at the school. Proceeds will go for needed supplies and to supplement the teacher’s salaries. A detailed report will be coming in late February or early March.

Now for a story. It comes from Missy in Baltimore. She sent out a holiday letter this year (45 friends and family), as she usually does. The first 60% was traditional content. But the last 40% wasn’t your usual family/friend letter. Below, with Happy Tears, I share with you what she wrote:

“A special blog we’ve been following is my ‘Uncle Bully’. He’s not really my uncle, but he’s the son of a patient that my mom cared for back around 1955. The patient, his father, died and Bill’s mother was badly burned in a fire. He was only 10 yrs old at the time and my mom, a young nurse, cared for him and his brother, while their mother recuperated. When my parents married, Bill Bradley just became an integral part of our family as we grew to be 6 children. He showed up regularly thru his college days, heading off to war in Vietnam, and then during his highly successful Business Executive life. He came to my high school graduation and my mom always made him a birthday cake, no matter when he visited.

Now Bill is retired and taken up a special project caring for the very poor children of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Bill began a heartfelt mission to ‘Make a difference’. He has orchestrated a whole group of volunteers to provide food, donate clothing, teach English and much more. He has even written a book about his adventures. He is Bill Bradley at www.zihuabill.wordpress.com. There is also a short but poignant review of his efforts by a colleague on an online page titled Tossing Starfish Back into the Ocean: A Tribute to ‘Memo’ the Unsung Leader. (ed. Click to read.) It’s a beautiful tribute. I am so very proud of him. Just as my mom recognized his spirit all those many years ago, I always knew he was a very special person too. I just wanted to share this story with all of you as we think about everything we are grateful for at this time of the year….”

Now I have to finish packing my stuff. More soon from sunny and friendly Zihuatanejo. Memo

The Town: There was not much in the way of good news during my stay. Apparently there is a “La Niña” out there somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. The effect on Zihua was a series of late seasonal storms. The worst part wasn’t the rain. It was the humidity afterward. Most days were 90+ temperature and 95%+ humidity. Not much fun moving around!

Unfortunately the economy of the area is no better. October is not a tourist month. Many of the familiar restaurants were not open yet. Several, including El Perla Negra, are not going to open. There was a general feeling of unhappiness that I had not felt before. Everyone is having a difficult time getting by. I am hopeful that when I return in January that the yearly tourist influx will bring the town back to life.

The School: Things are looking up for Las Joyas. It has been certified by the State so now it is officially a school. It also has a new official name which is rather long, so I will just keep calling Las Joyas. All the adobe homes on the property have been torn down (I am glad this Blog has some pictures of the old homes to remind us of what “was”). I have been informed by a reliable source that there is money available to begin building 3 classrooms late this year. There is a big fund raiser each year in February (Sail Fest) and I am told that money from the upcoming event will be available for building the remaining needed classrooms and maybe some other improvements. I hope by the time the kids return from the 2012 summer break they will have real classrooms in a real school.

Clothes Donations: I took down two suitcases of donated clothes for a school sale. Thank you donors.

Some of the kids are used to having a sale, so we were much better organized this year:

junior clerks

Right up to the moment of the sale:

Everyone likes a cool sale

And thanks to some Chicago area donors, there are some new Cubs baseball fans (aren’t they adorable?).

Little Cubbies

Thanks to the tremendous response for $$$ for school supplies, I had some cash left over. I made an executive decision to add the money from the school sale and give it to the 5 teachers. I was able to get some firsthand information on how much these teachers make a month. Each receives about $100 (US). They all have to do other things to subsist. Between the extra cash and the school sale I was able to give them each about $35 (US). By our standards, not much. By theirs, it was a godsend. Below are four of the five teachers happy with their money bag!

Muchas gracias from the teachers

Supply Donations: Thanks to the exceptionally generous donations of the Nowack family, Jeanne Hartley and Bill Overman the school was able to purchase most of the school supplies it will need for a year. The kids show their appreciation in the pictures below:

Muchas gracias Ken, Denise y Rocco

Muchas gracias Jeanne

Muchas gracias Bill (Memo)

Memo’s Kids: Regular readers of this Blog know that I sponsor three children so they may attend school. I have been mentoring Bernabe, Lizbeth and Jose Angel since they were in the 4th grade. They are now in the 8th grade. Jose Angel is an exceptional student and is doing quite well. Bernabe and Lizbeth struggle. In an effort to help them, I hired friend and out of work teacher Lucy to tutor them for an hour a day, three days a week. Bernabe is trying hard and is also learning English on the Rosetta Stone. I am very proud of his effort. Lizbeth, not so much. Despite considerable effort by several people she puts more energy into finding excuses for not doing what she is suppose to do than actually doing what she is supposed to do. Not everything I have tried has been a success. Unfortunately this may be one of those times.

Teacher Lucy is also teaching English to students at Las Joyas who are willing to stay after school for an extra class. Lucy and I laugh about her assignment. She is about one day ahead of the students as she learns English too. There is an old saying that teachers are the biggest learners. Hats off to Lucy.

Lucy y Bernabe (and isn't he getting tall!)

Karen: Many of you have followed college student Karen for the past 2.5 years as she attends the prestigious University of Guadalajara. She is a business major with a special interest in international business. She is also near the top of her class. I continue to support her so she can study without having to work.

She has just begun the process (a very, very difficult process) of applying to come the United States for summer school in 2012. Her university has an exchange program with UCLA. She has several people who have already assured me they will assist her in Los Angeles if she is accepted. I have a hunch I will be involved somewhere along the way. Anyway Karen fans, let’s all wish her well in this endeavor. Never has someone worked so hard and been so deserving.

Karen finds a little time to "horse around" in Guadalajara

One Last Plea: I need baby clothes. Well not me, but some very poor children in Zihua. I have another clothing sale scheduled in February. The parents asked me to bring baby clothes and clothes for children in grades K through 2. If you can help at all (no package too small), please send some clothing (especially shoes) for little people. My address is (Bill Bradley), 3650 Morning Star Drive, #2402, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88011. Muchas gracias from those in need.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Blog. Couldn’t have happened without you! Muchas gracias amigos – one and all! Memo

What is interesting to me is that the above is data collected in a formal process. It is a wonderful report but it says nothing about the hundred of thousands or even millions of informal volunteers who do good things without any formal recognition. People like you. There are more than 100 people in the past three years who have helped me and they are not included in the Federal Report. I am sure that the untold number of informal volunteers like you would add significantly to the number of people who help their neighbors both near and far.

Financial Support: And speaking of wonderful volunteers, since my last post I have received very significant financial contributions to fund school supplies for Las Joyas. Thank you Rocco (and parents Ken and Denise) and Jeanne Hartley for support. And thank you Canadian supporter Amanda Ayles for your very generous pledge.

Rocco in training

Jeanne with me at LA book signing

Clothing Drive USA:

Lindsey and Margaret at Las Joyas

My plea for clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. has been met with big boxes from Jeanne Hartley (California) and Lindsey Easom (and family and friends in Michigan). Teenagers Lindsey and Margaret were in Zihua earlier this year (with their moms) discovering the joys of volunteering as they spent some time teaching English at Las Joyas.

Las Cruces comes a Volunteering: I think the most amazing part of today’s post is the responses I have had from residents of my new home town of Las Cruces. I have clothes donations from camera shy librarians Estella Verrett and Kelly Miller. They work at the main library (they did this as individuals, not as an official library function). Estella also told me that my book has been checked out three times since I gave the library a copy two months ago!

I have donations from local artist Lois Smith (currently showing at City Hall) and neighbor Ronda Gryniuk

Artist Lois and Ronda

I have 3 bags of clothes from Adrienne Duran at restaurant Tokyo Sushi …

Adrienne (l.) with co-worker Emilee

I have a new family of friends and supporters, books buyers and pledged clothing at El Tiburon Restaurant. They have roots in Mexico and know exactly what I am trying to accomplish. They are very special people. If you go (504 E. Amador) be sure to tell them Memo sent you!

Memo, Annie y Maria

Zihua bound: I am off to Zihua for 3 weeks this next Sunday. I am afraid that I can’t get all the donations to Z town this trip, but I am going back in January, so it will all get there. We will hold two clothing sales. One in October and one in February. All the money from the October sales will go towards the purchase of school supplies. I think I will use the money in February to give to directly to the volunteer teachers who work so hard at Las Joyas and receive no payment for their efforts. How they do it I still don’t know.

So I will report back in about 5 weeks. Meanwhile, thank you for all your support and for taking the time to read this. Bill, aka Memo

BOOK RANT CONTINUED: I made a mistake over the past few days. I took some time to listen and watch various “news” and opinion programs. It is so sad. The talking heads continue to talk about the freedom and “rights” … but only if you are part of their belief group. The “news groups” give us endless reports on religious groups preaching hate and freedom groups preaching totalitarianism. In the United States, never have politicians worked so hard to represent the views … of those who supply them with money. I must stop following the news.

This all came to an ugly head two days ago. I was talking with a woman who lives nearby. I told her I was about to return to Mexico. She asked why. I explained a little about what I have been doing. This is a pretty accurate quote of her response: “I am a Christian who believes we should take care of our own poor children. There are plenty of them in the United States.” I interpreted that to mean that 93% of the children in the world don’t count. I also do not believe that she was speaking for all Christians.

I told her that I felt that each of us should do what we can where our heart takes us. But it seemed to have no effect.

Don't these children deserve help too???

All this was beginning to get me down. Then I remembered YOU! I remember the more than 100 of you who have made my Zihua adventure fun, rewarding, productive. Gosh darn it, together we have made a small part of the world a better place. I will continue to give thanks to all of you through my last day.

LAST CALL: As I wrote earlier, I did not plan to go to Zihua this year to work with Las Joyas (the school). But my replacement, Bill Overman, is under doctor’s orders not to travel, so I have all his gifts and his commitment to journey forth and do it one last time (sorry Javier, but this is it amigo). I leave October 2 for 3 weeks to get the program started. Going to be a big push on English this year. I will get an English program started. A former Mexican teacher will keep it going while I return to the US and then I will pick it up again in January for 2 months.

One last request for assistance. I know times are tough but I am asking once again. I would like to raise at least $300 dollars for school supplies for Las Joyas. Even small amounts help a lot. If you know me and trust me, you can send a donation to me at

Bill Bradley
3650 Morning Star Drive, Unit 2402,
Las Cruces, NM 88011

Also, if you have “clothes with dignity” that you could donate, please send them to me at the same address. Shoes are especially welcome (but no high heels). This year the clothes donations will go to a school fund raiser for school supplies. So check out your closets today! (BTW: Soccer shoes have been our best sellers.)

Las Joyas could use our support. Thank you.

UPDATE ON KAREN: I continue to support Karen on her journey through college at the University of Guadalajara. By my latest count she has received 23 “A’s”, 2 “B’s, and one Pass. Two of those “A’s” came through this just completed summer session. She is now a junior. She has tentative plans to study in the US next summer. That is truly exciting. More on that as I know more. Meanwhile, for those of you who enjoy tracking her progress, here is a list of her classes for this semester:

Statistics II
Cost Accounting
Fiscal Law
Organizational Behavior
Human Resources
Management Audit
Piano (for fun)

Lizbeth, Memo, and Bernabe

OCTOBER: While in Zihua for three weeks I will be splitting my time between working with “my kids” Bernabe and Lizbeth in the mornings (they are both struggling in school) and at Las Joyas in the afternoons. Don’t tell anyone, but I am off for 4-5 days to Guadalajara in the middle of the trip. I hope to see Karen there and maybe get some pictures of her at her school. I will give you a full report when I get back.

Bonus picture: How the poor bathe in Zihua

Thank you for reading this. “Memo”

There are about 55 copies left for purchase. Money raised from the sale of these books will be used by me to help fund middle school for Bernabe, Lizbeth, and Jose.

You can now purchase the book by credit card through PayPal. Click here if you are interested. And remember (this is a sales pitch, so you can skip this sentence if you want), many of you have your picture in the book … you may want to give it as a gift to loved ones so they will always have a picture and story about you.

I want to thank Galina Quigley and move her up to SuperHero status for her volunteer work in creating a special website that allows me to sell my book by using PayPal or a credit card. Galina is an extraordinary woman. She immigrated to the US about 5 years ago. Over the past 5 years she has learned English, gained a university degree, been the primary “bread-winner” for her family of three, and taught herself how to build websites. How she does it, I don’t have a clue, but kudos and muchas gracias Galina for your assistance.

There is another group of people I would like to thank. These are the folks who made very generous financial contributions that went toward schools supplies for four of the poorest schools in the area. Over the years I have discovered a wonderful couple who run a wholesale school supply in Zihua. It is the absolute cheapest way to buy regular school supplies and it sure beats carrying them down, especially if you fly.

So a heartfelt muchas gracias to the following Heros: William (Erv) and Claudia Bradley, Ken and Denise Nowack, Jeanne Hartley, Missy Welch, Bill and Mary Ratter, Sally Lewis, Victoria Johnson with Grace, Allison, Henry and my Anonymous Accountant.

I won’t put up all the pictures, but here are some that shows you a little of how the children were involved in the process … and showed their appreciation. All the Heroes received their own picture(s).

I would also like to thank Joy Hawkins for a large donation of high quality women’s clothes (amazing what happens when you decide it is really, really time to clean out your closets).

Good News/Bad News

Now I would like to share a good news/bad news story and how it keeps me closer to the schools that I thought I would be on my next journey. The good news is about a guy name Bill Overman. I met Bill casually on my last trip. He said he might like to get involved and he would get in touch. He did follow up and he said he would like to go down to Zihua and pick up some of the teaching I had been doing. He planned on four days a week for two months. He was also going to tutor kids on the English Language Rosetta Stone. Bill went out a bought two laptops and a 5-level Rosetta Stone program (top of the line). He also bought boxes and boxes of teaching aids. A true SuperHero!!!

Unfortunately now comes the bad news. Bill recently suffered a major heart attack. Fortunately he is recovering, but travel over the next year or so is out of the question. We tocayos (anyone with the same name, i.e. Bill and Bill) look out for each other, so I will return to do some teaching … not as much as in the past … and some tutoring … and figuring out how to make use of his enormous material contributions. (Javier, es bueno para Las Joyas!) So stay tuned for how this one turns out.

Bill, I am sure that everyone who reads this joins with me to wish you a complete and full recovery. And on behalf of the school(s) and the children, our gratitude.

Update on Karen

As most of you know, I am sponsoring a poor and very, very smart young woman named Karen as she works towards a business degree at the University of Guadalajara. She is a little more than half way there now. She continues to excel and I continue to be proud. By my count so far she has received 21 “A’s”, 2 “B’s, and one Pass. Here are her grades from the semester she finished last week.

Statistics: 100
Finance: 100
Operative Systems: 95
Accounting: 96
Labor Law: 88
Economy and Public Finance: 85

And she is off to summer school this coming week. Way to go Karen. Just for fun, if any of you would like to congratulate her (come on, we all like a little recognition for work well done) or wish her well, send her an email at: karen_z16@hotmail.com

Two Teens Teach

Finally, I want to praise a couple of young women from Chicago. Muchas gracias to Lindsey and Margaret, a couple of high school students who went one day to Las Joyas during Easter break to teach some basic English skills to the some of the lower grades. The kids enjoyed a break in routine and enjoyed the teens and the teens got a great experience.

So dear readers, keep in mind there are always opportunities. If you are a teacher, how about coming to Zihua for your Easter break and try a different kind of teaching? Know some high school or college students who would enjoy a teaching experience while still enjoying Paradise? Get in touch with me and we will make it happen.

Hasta Luego

After more than 1,000 hours of writing, editing, reediting, and coordinating, I have a story to tell about my time in Zihuatanejo.  (Should you care in the slightest, the blue/green at the bottom of this cover will be blue when you get your copy.)

How to purchase the book:  Many of you reading this Blog deserve a free copy for all your help.  But I don’t know where draw the line.  So I created the “Gringo Rule”.  If you are approximately a gringo you are a potential buyer.  By the way, if your picture ever appeared on the Blog, there is a 79.6% chance your picture is in the book somewhere.  Even if you didn’t have your picture in the Blog, there is still an 19.3% chance if you are reading this your picture will be in the book. 

And now the all important part.  If you wish to purchase the book send $20 US by check, money order or, if you trust me and the post office, cash to:
Bill Bradley
3650 Morning Star Drive
#2402
Las Cruces, NM 88011

Please indicate if you would like the book inscribed (but see Financial and Inscription Caveat below).

Orders received by February 15 will be processed before I leave for Mexico on February 18.  Orders received after that date will be processed beginning March 3.  If you are currently in Mexico I will have copies with me.  I will be a regular evening visitor to La Gula Restaurant, Salvador’s and El Perla Negra.  From February 22-March 1 I will be a regular day visitor at Madera Beach, at my “office” under the palm trees near the old MJ & Richie.

Financial and Inscription Caveat: Mailing these books is an expensive proposition.  Once I write my name or a short message in the book, I can no longer send the book by book rates. I am going to ask that if you decide to order only one book and want it inscribed, please send an extra $5 to cover the additional postage.  This applies only to single book orders that have been inscribed.  Multiple orders, no matter how many, are covered by a different rate and no additional postage fee is required and I will be happy to sign away! 

Special Note: This book is self published.  That means, in terms of my wallet, I paid for it.  Should I ever recoup my investment (investment, hmmm?) ALL profits will go to Niños Adelante, a non-profit children’s program that helps poor kids pay for grades 7-12 and sometimes on to college.  It is currently helping about 220 youngsters.

Marketing Note: I am told by others, far wiser than me, that I have to have a marketing plan to entice buyers.  Okay, if you are Blog Reader, here is my Blog Marketing Plan: Buy 5 copies of the book and get a sixth one free.  There, now I hope my marketing advisers are happy!

Book excerpt: If you would like to get a little hint of what is in the book, go to the bottom of this post for most of the paragraphs from my Foreword.

School Supply Update and Kudos.  Regular readers of this Blog know my teaching days are over.  This is also my last year of volunteering in any way except to provide annual scholarship donations to Bernabe, Lizbeth, Jose Angel, and Karen while they continue their schooling.  My future volunteering activities will be closer to home. 

However this year I did ask for assistance in buying school supplies for 4 schools.  I am planning a more detailed thank you posting in March to more appropriately thank this year’s donors.  It will be a special post in their honor.  For now, let me list the names of some absolutely fabulous adults, children and a dog: 

Thank you Anonymous Accountant
Thank you V (Victoria Johnson) and children Grace, Allison and Henry
Thank you Jeanne Hartley
Thank you Bill and Mary Ratter
Thank you Joy Hawkins
Thank you Barge Girlfriend Sally Lewis
And a second thank you to Rocco and his parents

Update on Karen:  As followers of this Blog know, I have been sponsoring Karen from her days as a waitress at La Casa Café to her journey now at the Business School at the University of Guadalajara.   After three semesters completed she is a straight “A” student and has totally justified my faith in her.  And she doesn’t take easy classes.  She resumes classes this week, starting her fourth semester.  Here is a list of her classes:

Financial Administration
Labor Law
Applied Statistics
Public Economy and Finance
System Operations 
English

Excerpt from Foreword of Journey to Zihuatanejo: From Visitor to Volunteer:

This is my first and likely only book. I struggled with where to
begin, what to write about, and most importantly, what to say
that would be of interest to others.

The book eventually fell into three parts. The first two and one-half
chapters are about the town of Zihuatanejo (Zihua), Mexico.
There is a local upscale, slick monthly magazine published in
Zihuatanejo called “Another Day in Paradise”. For me, that was a
great descriptor. The moment I stepped off the airplane on my first
trip I knew I had found Paradise. I still feel that way.

So the early chapters are about how I saw (and continue to see)
Zihua through my eyes as a visitor. I was a happy vacationer, pure
and simple. For those who are considering a visit to Zihuatanejo,
or even those who are regular visitors and want a perspective from
a six-time visitor, you may find these early chapters helpful and
hopefully interesting.

During my fourth visit to Zihua something changed. I was
introduced to a teacher from a poor school who invited me to
teach some Basic English to a couple of classes. I made nine very
unorganized visits to the school over a three week period. I had
fun. The children loved me. I was hooked.

On my fifth visit I came not as a visitor or vacationer, but as a
volunteer. I stayed five and one-half months. I would come again
on my sixth visit for six months. For these lengthy stays I was well organized
and prepared to teach English and more.

The middle chapters of this book are about working with the
poorest of the children on the outskirts of town. For readers interested
in volunteerism or even looking for a way to combine travel
with volunteerism, you may find these chapters both interesting
and helpful.

I taught English at two very poor schools on the edge of the
jungle. I would also go on to tutor teachers and students using
Rosetta Stone, teach life skills, set up a school store, establish
lunch and reading programs, sponsor three children as they proceed
through grades 7-12, sponsor a college student and much,
much more.

The final two chapters are about volunteerism and Heroes and
SuperHeroes. What started in year four as a whim and with no
initial plan evolved into something incredible in many ways.

What started out as a “Me” journey became a “We” journey.
Almost all of the success stories in this book are the result of over
100 people from all over the United States, Canada and Europe
volunteering to help in whatever way they could. Some gave time.
Others gave money. Many donated books, clothes, uniforms, and
school supplies. People began to “Pay it forward”. People I never
met stepped up and did something that added to the wonderfulness
of this process. The final chapter is a tribute to these Heroes
and SuperHeroes.

And now I hope you find this book both interesting and enjoyable.
If by chance you put the book down and say to yourself heck,
anyone could have done that! Well you are absolutely right. All it
takes is some determination and lots of love.

Rocco wants to be a guide dog and help others, including poor children in Z

Even though this is the absolutely worst week of the year to ask for donations, I could still use some financial assistance.  I absolutely promise not to ask again for any donation.  But if the season of giving moves you, anything would be appreciated.  Please send cash, check or money order to Bill Bradley, 3650 Morning Star Drive, #2402, Las Cruces, NM, 88011.

A special picture with your name in it will be taken at the store in February to acknowledge your donation.  The pictures will be posted here in March.

Holiday Celebration: Because this is the holiday season and so many of you have been so generous in the past, Bernabe and Lizbeth, my little 7th grade friends from Zihua, have joined with me to present to you this holiday dance choreographed in the finest of Disco traditions.  While responses in the comment section are generally gratefully received, cheap shots about my dancing abilities may be deleted!  So click on the “The Disco Gringo” link below  and enjoy 55 seconds of the newest and hottest YouTube video in existence (and if you are inclined to increase your enjoyment, click on the icon on the lower right of the video and view full screen)  … and Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year to all of you from me and all the children you have helped over the past three years.

The Disco Gringo with Lizbeth and Bernabe

Update on Karen: As regular readers know, I am sponsoring Karen as she attends the Business School at the University of Guadalajara.  She has just completed her third semester.  Many of you have shown a keen interest in her progress.  She continues to be at the top of her class and as before all her grades are in the “A” range.  None of her classes are easy.  I feel like a proud papa!  Here are this semesters results (90 and above is in the “A’ range):

Workshop on Group Strategies and Teamwork: 100
Public Relations and Communication: 100
Law II: 100
Professional Ethics and Social Values: 100
Total Quality Management: 95
English – No grades, she has worked up to Level 9

If you care to encourage Karen some more, please leave a message for her in the comment section below.

Karen visits her parents home town

Book Report: Tomorrow I send off to my editor the final chapter in Journey to Zihuatanejo: From Visitor to Volunteer.  I will have copies in my hands in February.

Hasta proto amigos.  Memo

I will be going back to Zihua on February 18 for 11 days.  It will be my final trip with any direct involvement with the schools.  In the future I hope some younger folks might step up and volunteer, but I do feel that my previous 3 school years of involvement have made a difference for some really wonderful but woefully underprivileged young people (and their families).

Here are some topics you may find interesting:

Book Announcement: I will have a book published about “Memo’s Excellent Adventures” in Mexico.  I am actually planning for two editions.  The first edition is tentatively titled Journey to Zihuatanejo: From Visitor to Volunteer.  That could change over the next six weeks, but that’s the way I am leaning.  It will be published early next year.  I will let you know when it is available.

Sponsorship: I currently sponsor ($300/year per child) three children who are in the 7th grade.  As previously noted, not all expenses are covered by the Mexican government beyond 6th grade.  I have been close to Bernabe, Lizbeth, and Jose Angel since they were in the 4th grade and all three would find it difficult to go to school without assistance.   I am committed to helping them through school for as long as they continue their studies (including college if any of the three decide to go to college).  I look forward to seeing them in February and with the help of my LA friends, we will be throwing them a beach “fiesta” during our visit.

Bernabe (l), Lizbeth & Jose Angel

Karen:  Karen is a young lady I am assisting on my own (about half of her tuition).  As those of you have regularly read this blog know, Karen is a business major at the University of Guadalajara.   She has completed two semesters with straight “A’s”.  She is finishing up semester three as I write this.  This semester she is taking Commercial Law, Accounting III, Total Quality Management, Ethics, Public Relations and Advanced English.   No soft classes for this young lady!  She will meet me in Zihua for a long weekend in February and join in our gringo activities and the beach fiesta.  Can’t wait to see her again.

Karen and her mother

Care to help one last time?  I mentioned above about helping the schools on one last occasion.  I am committed to spending $500 (total, not each) on school supplies for four different poor schools.  I could use some help.  Only if you know me and feel like giving an assist to these wonderful kids, please send me a donation.  My address is 3650 Morning Star Drive, Unit 2402, Las Cruces, NM 88011.  I chose not to set up a foundation, so this is “iffy” as a tax deduction.  So only do it if the Spirit moves you.  Thank you for your consideration.

Las Joyas kids don't have much of a classroom; but we can at least help with supplies

Food news: For those of you headed to Zihua shortly for your annual “get-out-of-the-cold retreat” here is the latest restaurant news from Madera-Downtown areas.

As you regulars know, we are still mourning the demise of our favorite morning haunt.  Gone forever is La Casa Café.  Lorna and Pedro have returned to the US.  However, El Perla Negra has not only reopened down the street (on Adelita) but is serving breakfast as well as dinner.  Some familiar faces from La Casa Café will be on hand to cook and serve you.  No word on whether my favorite cook (Magda) is back but Lisa (Pedro and Lorna’s daughter) and Abe will take excellent care of you.  Tell them Memo sent you.

cook Magda and all everything Abe

Also on Adelita, Salvador’s at the little bridge has reopened and Mauricio’s Cyber Café just across from Salvador’s serves a limited but very authentic and tasty menu for breakfast and lunch.

Mauricio at his Cyber Cafe

Probably the biggest news in the restaurant biz is “Papa’s” new place.  If you have ever been to Madera beach, you undoubtedly stopped by MJ & Richie’s.  The place was run for many years by Rafael (Rafa) and his family.  Papa (what I called him … he called me Son and his daughters called me Brother) was invited to leave his location (sounds better than “kicked out”) in the late Spring.  I guess the owners of the property figure they can do better … we’ll see.  Well according to his daughter Renata (my “sister”), he will reopen downtown on December 15.  It will be called MJ & Richie’s House of Jazz and Blues.  The address is Vincente Guerrero #6, right next to the entrance to Coconut’s and it will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening live music.  Papa, if you read this, I am coming, I am coming!!!

Rafa ("Papa") at the old (beach) MJ & Richie

Well, let’s see: book, kids, Karen, donation, restaurants … did I leave anything out?  If so please let me know.  In the meantime, I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of holiday seasons and look forward to seeing my many friends in Paradise in less than 3 months.  Hasta pronto, Memo

Please note that this is not the end of my involvement.  I will continue to financially assist Bernabe, Jose Angel, and Lizbeth through grades 7 – 12 and with Karen as she continues her university education.

Let me start with what WE accomplished over two and half years:

1. Perhaps it is an odd place to start, but I feel best about having a positive interaction with approximately 200 Mexicans, young and old, in schools and out, who will have good feelings towards America and Americans.
 
2. Through your generous support we were able to provide about 4,500 hot lunches at two schools. 
 
3. We were able to leave behind about 200 books in Spanish for Las Joyas and about 60 books at Octavio Paz .
 
4. With the contributions of many, we were able to distribute about $1,000 in school supplies.

5. We contributed more than 100 uniforms for Octavio Paz and Las Joyas.
 
6. About 1,000 pounds of clothes and toys were donated.  Most of the donated items were funneled through an “earned” system, meaning the receivers had to do something to earn (non welfare) the items.
 
7. This year the distribution system for clothes and toys was through two “micro-businesses”.  One was known as the school store.  Here the 5th and 6th children learned some life skills by running a store.  They would buy the clothes from me (20 pesos a batch — money received by me put back into the lunch fund), inventory and price their “products”, sell their products on Thursday afternoons, making change, accounting for the money, eventually deciding how to pay themselves and distribute the remaining funds.  Along the way when the store was not doing well they learned about the power of advertising and saw immediate results.  The second “micro-business” was with 11-year-old Lizbeth, who is one of the kids I am going to sponsor through grades 7-12.  She is running her business in the same way as the school.  She does it from her home just like I did years ago with my lemonade stand.  She is “open” on the weekends.  All profits will go to funding her share of the costs of going to school.

Lizbeth earns money for school at her store

8. I taught English at two schools.  I averaged 3 times a week over 3 years (about 10 months in aggregate).  Progress was slow.  However, I am hopeful that if they continue on in school or get jobs where some English is required that I have established a base that will make future learning easier.
 
9. Over two years (about 9 months in aggregate) I tutored 3 teachers, 7 children and Karen on the Rosetta Stone for English on my laptop.  Those kids showed visible progress and should do well in future school English programs.  Karen’s progressed to a higher level in just 40 hours over Christmas break.
 
10. I am still very proud of getting Zihua’s top chef to host a 1.5-hour cooking class once a week for four weeks for the 5th and 6th grade class of Las Joyas.
 
11. We threw several good fiestas for the children.

Children and adults enjoy Banana Boat at beach party

Look who did it:

This journey began as a one-man effort.  It quickly became a team effort from more than 100 people, most of whom never met each other and some of whom I never met.  This is the best part of the story: You dearest volunteer did it.  You made it happen.  And now in this final scheduled posting I want to thank you:

My first thank you is delivered with a very heavy heart.  Muchas gracias to Neftali “Tali” Nuñez.  Tali was a young man in his 20s who was a wiz with computers.  He took care of mine and prepped the donated computers to the schools.  He was not wealthy; but he rarely charged me anything but the costs of materials – it was his way to contribute to the schools.  Some of you Zihua visitors may have known Tali as a part time waiter at La Casa Café or El Perla Negra.  He would step in on a moment’s notice when they were short of help. Tali passed away on April 22, 2010.  I will remember him as a kind, gentle, always cheerful, giving young man who made a difference with those less fortunate than him.

I want to give a very special thanks to Suneeta Kaasan whose perceptive and extraordinary advice to me was “put it out there”.  Suneeta, I did and look what happened (read on) ….
 
I met Gary Stroy and Lorine Tanimoto in La Casa Café 2 years ago.  The rest, as they say, is history.  These two people were generous beyond anything I could imagine.  Let me cite just a few examples of what they did.  Lorine donated enough school supplies to keep Las Joyas going for one year.  Gary donated 50 new dress shirts that were big sellers in the two micro businesses that were created in the past year. Together they funded about 30% of the hot food program and created and delivered a Thanksgiving Day lunch to all the children of Las Joyas.  And in the ultimate “gift”, they gave Las Joyas their daughter, Mika Tanimoto.

This early donation was just a drop-in-the-bucket of what Lorine and Gary (far right) donated to Las Joyas

Mika came to Las Joyas for three weeks and taught English to grades 1-4.  She was fantastic.  Even months after she left the kids were ask me “Where is Mika.”  Mika had great ideas for making learning fun.  I watched her when I could and used some of her techniques to improve my English classes with grades 5-6.

Mika teaching --look closely how the students are responding!

Another couple that I met two years ago were Gordon and PamAnn Huwa from Southern Oregon.  They were annual visitors to the Zihua area and they read a request I made on a message board for assistance in getting donations down to Zihua.  They drive down and volunteered to take everything I had.  The first year they took a trailer and much of it was filled with donations.  This past year they drove a RV overflowing with donations.  I estimate that between the two years they took a 1,000 pounds of clothes, books, supplies, and computers.  Try carrying that on the airlines these days!  There is no way all this could have happened without Gordon and PanAnn.  And oh by the way, Gordon also built a bookcase for Las Joyas and they both helped at special events at the school.

Young lovers Gordon and PanAnn enjoy Zihua and love the children

Another fantastic couple are Erv and Claudia Bradley.  I first met them two years ago at La Casa Café, where I met so many Zihua volunteers.  Turns out that Erv is my ultimate “Tocayo”.  A tocayo is someone with the same name, usually first name.  In this case, however, we are both William E. Bradley. Last year they made a financial contribution for books.  When they returned this year they brought school supplies and made a very significant contribution to the hot food program.  They also spent a day at the school and separately met with one of my sponsor children, Bernabe and his family.  Best of all, for me, they have become real and valued friends. (Now that this is posted, I promise more frequent emails.)

Erv and Claudia with 6th grade student Jonathan

Speaking of tocayos, let me give praise to a tocayo I have never met, but he has been a real supporter.  He is Guillermo Gower, CEO of NASOFT USA.  Guillermo and I met by email through a mutual friend.  His company is an international business, but he still finds time to stay in touch.  He has often volunteer to do what is needed.  I haven’t fully taken him up on his offer, but I do want to thank him for two specific “gifts”.  First, he arranged an informational interview for college student Karen at his company offices in Guadalajara.  I can not stress enough how important it is for Karen to get exposure to the business world as she makes her way though college.  She is a business major; but with her limited exposure to anything beyond small family businesses, she needs real world experiences.  I really got a personal kick out what she learned from her interview – as is frequently the case it wasn’t what she intended to learn before the visit.  But she now knows how work in the world of business is significantly different from her growing up and college experiences.  Guillermo is also the one respondent to my request for sponsoring a child from grades 7-12.  Because of you Guillermo, a child who would have dropped out after grade 6 has a chance to be a high school graduate.

Tocayo Guillermo Gower, CEO Nasoft USA

Thank you Magnificent Seven: I could write a book about Ken, Denise, Pam, Andy, Jen, Joni and Susan.  Where to even begin?  My friendship with Ken goes back to 1986.  We were thrown into a business arrangement that year and have been friends and colleagues ever since.  He and Andy are now business partners and I do a little part time work for them.  Along with one wife (Denise), one fiancée (Jen) and three friends (Pam, Susan, Joni) they have become regular vacationers to Zihua and tremendous supporters of Las Joyas.  Here are only a few of the highlights: Donated two laptops, many Spanish books, clothes, time at the school, and this year they threw the Beach Party of all beach parties for the outstanding students of Las Joyas and my scholarship kids.  I should also mentioned that over the last two years they have carried down between 10 and 12 bags/suitcases of donations, paying those ridiculous airline fees themselves.

Magnificent 7 (minus Jen)

Thank you Larry Kutcher and Sue Padernacht for donating a computer to Las Joyas and for your wonderful emotional support.  You guys are great!

Larry and Sue celebrate with their "Bubby"

Praise be to my Anonymous Accountant who refuses to let me use her name.  She has made significant financial contributions, for which I am very grateful.  But even more important she been my biggest cheerleader, especially when I have a bad moment or two.  She is also MAKING ME write a book about the experience.  And for that I can’t thank her enough.

Thank you ME: None of this would have ever happened if Mary Ellen Jackson (Maria Elena) had not introduced me to a teacher from Octavio Paz.  ME is a Northern Californian who lives several months a year in Zihua.  She was my next-door neighbor in the Madera area for 4 years.  Through ME and teacher Rosario I was invited to teach English for a few weeks 3-years ago at Octavio Paz.  I adlibbed as best I could with no supplies.  But the response from the kids was great and I was hooked.  I came back two years ago, and thanks to all the volunteers, this time I was ready.  ME also thought I was ready for Las Joyas, which was in much worse shape than Octavio Paz.  She introduced me to teacher/director Javier and after that most of my attention went to the school without walls, floors, electricity, running water.  Thank you ME for sending me in the right direction.

Mary Ellen (left) with her "crew" Margaret and Vicki (right) giving out uniforms at Las Joyas

Maria Elena is also a total volunteer in her own right and deserves much more than the above paragraph.  In one area where we overlap, I do want to thank her and her friends Vicki and Margaret for the work in getting uniforms and supplies to the children of Octavio Paz and Las Joyas.  

Thank you Jose: Jose Bustos is the executive director of Niños Adelante, a scholarship program for children in grades 7-12.  After grade 6 children have to pay for everything except tuition.  The estimated cost for books, uniforms, transportation, supplies, a musical instrument and miscellaneous items and activities is between $500 – $600 dollars per year.  I hope it is needless to say that most of the families we have been helping can’t afford it.  Those who can may send only the oldest child.  That is where Jose and his organization come in.  This coming year they anticipate having approximately 220 youngsters receiving scholarships.  A scholarship is $300 per year.  The family is expected to pay the rest.  Jose is helping me monitor my scholarships payments for Benabe, Jose Angel, and Lizbeth.

Jose Bustos with Fidel (my best friend) enrolling Lizbeth, Jose Angel and Bernabe in the program

Thank you Rosalba and Pepe: La Gula Restaurant offers up the best cuisine in all of the Zihua/Ixtapa area.  The owners are Pepe and Rosalba, two of the nicest people you will ever meet.  Chef Pepe is an internationally trained and certified chef.  Rosalba is the English speaking hostess.  In what I still think is a cute story, on the last night of my first visit to Zihua I had dinner at La Gula.  Rosalba would always come over and talk to me – she always does that with single travelers.  I told her that I loved Zihua and wanted to come back for a long period of time but I needed to find an affordable apartment.  Did she know of anyone I could trust to find me a good apartment at a reasonable rate?  Yes, she replied, “Me”!  And she became my landlady for the next four years as I lived next door to them.  Because of that quirky moment, I met Mary Ellen and that lead to my involvement with the children.  Chef Pepe volunteered two years ago to hold a cooking class for the 5th and 6th graders at Los Joyas.  We met for 1.5 hours on Tuesdays for four weeks.  It was a great experience for the kids and their teacher, Javier, said it helped the children settle down in class now that some them had a new goal of working in the food industry.

Chef Pepe conducts cooking class for Las Joyas 5th and 6th Grades

Thank you Million Amigos, especially David Reid, Chris Mincks and Katy Marsnik for exchanging information with me.  Million Amigos is a school project (Minnesota) that supports several schools in the Zihua area with computers, supplies.  Most years the donations are brought by a large number of parents and students who have a week to interact (and practice their Spanish) with local students.   

Thank you Jeanne, Kyle, Kaylee and Kody Marr: Fantastic initial support and cheerleaders.  Did everything possible to help me prepare for first big trip.  Donated clothes, uniforms, Spanish books, toys and games.  Helped me practice my (still limited) Spanish.

From left, Kaylee, Kody, Kyle, Jeanne Marr

Thank you Claire Bradley: What a wonderful young lady Claire is … and she is still a single digit in age.  She parted with some of her favorite (not leftovers) clothes and toys to bring joy to the children of Zihua.  For someone so young she has an amazing capacity to understand what it must be like for the less fortunate.

Claire with her grandpa (that would be me)

Thank you Galina Quigley and family for your donations, storing my car and housing me in time of need.  Galina, I don’t know where to begin for all the emotional support you have given me these past years.  Whenever I felt tired I remembered all you are doing and I immediately got my second wind.  You are a very special person and friend. 

Beautiful Galina in her finest clothes from her native Moldova

Thank you Karen Koon for your very significant and multiple donations to the food and book funds.

Thank you Lorena: Lorena Ochoa until her retirement a few weeks ago was the world’s number 1 female golfer.  She also has a foundation to help the poor children in her home area of Guadalajara. I met her at a tournament in Oregon last year.  Despite the fact she was immersed in the event, she listened to my story and said she wanted to help.  She posed for a quick picture (by this time 100s of fans were beginning to surround her) and we made quick plans for her autographing some shirts when she returned to Guadalajara.  The autographs never materialized basically because when she wasn’t playing golf she was making her own wedding plans.  However, through the passionate and diligent early work of Mariana Reynoso (who subsequently left to study music in England) and friendly and helpful staff Carolina Mercado and Alejandra Carranza, I was able to obtain 25 Lorena Ochoa shirts and caps.  The shirts and caps, along with a copy of the picture of Lorena and me, were given to very, very stunned and excited 5th and 6th graders on my last day at Las Joyas.  (A few others also received either a shirt or a cap.)

Probably as close as I will ever get to heaven; Carolina (l) and Alejandra in Lorena Ochoa's offices

Thank you Shadia Lynn Garrison (http://www.mindfultourist.com), family and friends.  Though we have never met, I can’t thank you enough first for your early book donations and second for bringing 7 bags (“yes sir, yes sir, seven bags full”) of clothing, books and especially the soccer shoes and balls to Zihua and for all the nice things you wrote on your wonderful and enlightening Blog.

Shadia's family and friends play soccer on Madera Beach

 A hardy and heartfelt thanks go out to Dan and Kim Hunsberger.  We met two years ago in La Casa Cafe and had some great discussions about children and schools.  They returned this year bearing supplies and had a great time interacting with the children at Las Joyas.

Kim and Dan are greeted by children who want to show off their English skills (or just show off)

Thank you Ayala Elnekave and Family: Ayala organized a baby-clothes drive that produced several suitcases full of need baby clothes.  Frankly speaking, there is a significant problem with the great numbers of young mothers.  It is a complex social problem, but donors like Ayala and her family can help in the interim.  In addition, Ayala and family donated a large amount of children and adult clothing.

Ayala's husband Dale and 2 brothers welcome Paloma to Planet Earth -- sweet

Thank you BJ: BJ (Hately) Gallagher is a best selling author and long time friend.  She autographed 12 copies of her best selling book A Peacock in the Land of Penguins (Spanish edition) for me to give deserving students.  Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me about turning this Blog and my journey into a book!!!  (I will catch up with you soon.)

Reducido Al Reino de Los Pinguinos en español

Qué le pasa a Henry? en español

Berit (l), Sarah, and friend Pam help out at children's beach party

Thank you Javier Higuera Cortes, principal and teacher at Las Joyas, for giving me the opportunity to volunteer at the school and forgiving me when I made cultural blunders.  Thank you for your guidance. Thank you too for being a role model for all the young boys who can aspire to be like you someday.

Teacher, Director, Amigo Javier

Thank you Janny Bravo Valle for all your assistance at Las Joyas.  Janny is a great teacher (unpaid) who works extra hours and spends her own money (which she doesn’t have a lot of) for the good of the children.  No one works harder for the children. She is a real hero.  Thank you and your children for the lovely parting gifts.  Your picture has a special place in my new casa.

Janny (l) with Berit and Sarah serving up hot lunch

Thank you Lorna Antu for La Casa Café.  Visitors will miss that special feeling of connecting that they used to have when entering your very special establishment.  Many of the most energetic volunteers were met right there while consuming your delicious breakfasts and lunches.  Hope you find a new place soon.  And a very big and special thank you for being the “banker” in holding my tuition money for Karen.

Lorna with hubby Pedro and then waitress Karen at the old site of La Casa Cafe

Thank you Renata Mendez for the many things you did to help me including being an excellent and enthusiastic translator.  The list goes on.  Thank you for the clothes and toys donations.  Thank you for your advice about Mexican children and Mexican culture.  Thank you for coming to the school and adding your expertise.

Renata teaches; children spellbound

Thank you Abbie Defiel, family and friends: In one of the most serendipitous meetings, two years ago I met college student Abbie while walking on the beach.  We talked for maybe 5 minutes.  She gave me her email address and I put her on the Blog mailing list.  She and her family and friends came back this year bringing much needed supplies and books and personally delivered them to Los Joyas. 

Abbie (back left), family and friends with 5th & 6th grades at Las Joyas

Thank you Zihua doctor Christian Covarrubias Alamilla for serving as a role model for the children and giving a wonderful presentation to the 5th and 6th grades at Las Joyas.

Dr. C. listens to question from student in 5th & 6th grades

Thank you Fidel Angel Ramirez Victoriano (my best friend) for volunteering to help translate on many occasions … although Fidel, you have to remember that after one person speaks you have to do more than nod your head.  You actually have to say something to the second person!!!  Fidel is a 15-year-old young man with an extremely bright future ahead of him.  He has volunteered for several organizations.  He is also an excellent chess player for someone his age.  You go guy!

Why is Fidel smiling? (Hint: at Lorena Ochoa Foundation)

Thank you Book Club girlfriend Helen Emer for your very generous financial support and heartfelt encouragement.

Helen (l) and other supporters Jim, Jim, Nancy, Sue and Stu (see thank yous below)

Thank you Sue Johansen for your financial contribution to the food fund and encouragement.

Thank you Ellie Maliner for your financial contribution to the food fund and emotional support.

Thank you Jim and Nancy McKittrick for constant positive reinforcement.

Thank you Jim Lobben for your clothes donations.

Thank you Stu Thomas and daughter Katie for your clothes donations.

Thank you Barge Girlfriend Sally Lewis for your financial support and all those wonderful, delightful emails.  We sure got a lot of mileage out of those few days on that dinky boat, didn’t we!  Good luck with your Cubbies.

Ah Sally, didn't we have fun!

Thank you Bonnie Fromhold for your many books and financial donations and your tireless effort to organize and moderate a Spanish class that did help … honest!

Bonnie (l) and Sherri the day they taught me how to drink margaritas (in preparation for my trip to Z)

Thank you Sherri (Cereza) Gibson for being an extraordinary friend, for your multiple lunch fund contributions, for making Spanish class fun and for all your encouragement.

Thank you V.  Victoria Johnson and family donated a significant amount of books, children clothing and lots and lots of encouragement. (Go Trojans!)

Thank you Bruce Heller for your multiple financial contribution to buy books AND for being the most frequent respondent and cheerleader to my Blog.

Thank you Bob Bury (Euphoria Chocolate, Eugene OR) for being the very first volunteer to take a suitcase of donations to Zihua and for your sage advice on my first trip.

Thank you Claudia Schouten and teens Jonah, Courtney, Christopher for repeated clothes donations and to Claudia for being a great emotional cheerleader.

Jonah, Courtney, Christopher were "santas" to the children of Zihua

Thank you Tillie Krieger for your lunch fund contribution.

Tillie at her smiling best

Thank you Ashley Boynton and Joseph Foley: They are the membership team at the Downtown Athletic Club in Eugene Oregon.  They have been among the best cheerleaders a guy could ever ask for.

Thank you Craig Tomlinson for providing me the opportunity to speak to your Rotary Club.

Thank you Genie Norman for being a great cheerleader.

Thank you amigos Genie and Scott

Thank you Scott Wimer for your emails of encouragement and for keeping me honest with my humor.

Thank you MommaJo Mojo, Eugene friend Joan Garrison for your financial support (which I know you can’t afford) and all the emails of encouragement.  Thank you too for sharing all your stories … they helped motivate me.

MammaJo Mojo is the Indiana Jones of Eugene Oregon

Thank you JohnWanda for your Zihua friendship and for your help at Los Joyas.

Look carefully, camera shy JohnWanda in Hawaiian shirt/blue dress help at clothing sale

Thank you Zihua neighbor Josie for your financial and clothes donations.  Your financial donation helped toward giving the volunteer teachers at Las Joyas a good payday on my last day at the school.
 
Thank you Laurie Ami and friends from the Center for Spiritual Living for books, clothes, and uniforms.  How wonderful that a group of strangers (to me) would help like this and Laurie thank you for your visit to Zihua and carting all those suitcases of donations.

Laurie Ami at Octavio Paz

Thank you Alex: Alex Kort was the President of the Los Angeles Times Federal Credit Union (until recent mergers) and a long time friend.  Alex saved my butt when two days before going to Zihua this year I lost my wallet and need replacement cards.  I trusted him to get me the cards to me in Mexico and he did post haste…and he did.  He has also been a big verbal booster.

Thank you beach girlfriend Liz Angland for your financial contributions, your volunteerism in several Zihua organizations and your friendship.

Liz volunteers for the Zihua Humane Society

Thank you very special teachers Lucy, Rosario, Lorena, Paul, Ana.  More than anyone, you are the hope for the children and for your country.  What you do today, and every day, without proper recognition or reward, is show up and mold children with your special talents and love.  To know each of you is to love each of you.  Muchas gracias amigos!

Octavio Paz teachers Paul, Lorena, Rosario along with Las Joyas teachers Ana and Lucy (now moved on) and other selfless teachers deserve out heartfelt thanks

Thank you Mauricio Cancinog for teaching Bernabe how to use a computer and letting him use a computer at your wonderful new Internet café.  I also wish you much success.

Mauricio, wife and youngest child at new restaurant & internet cafe on Adelita

Thank you Meta Maxwell for taking the bull by the horns and scooting down to Zihua, working with Rosalba and getting much need supplies to Octavio Paz.

Thank you Michael Stacy Jr., musician extraordinaire and 1/3 of the fantastic musical group Los Pistoleros.  Coming up to introduce yourself and your fellow musicians to my sponsorship kids Bernabe and Jose along with (best friend) Fidel was way beyond any call of duty.  These kids don’t have much, but you gave them a memory that began the next day when they told all their friends about meeting the great musicians and I made copies of the pictures so the kids will have a memory etched in time. 

Thank you Los Pistoleros for giving Jose Angel (1) and Bernabe a moment they will never forget

Thank you Missy.  Of all the people on this list, I have known you the longest.  I knew you when I was “Uncle Bully” and carried you on my back.  And I am please to know you now as an extraordinary human being with a heart of gold. I thank you also for your generous financial support (now you carry me ).

Missy and Memo (me) prefer good wines over bad whines

Thank you Susan Leone for your book donation (Susan, my fault we lost touch).

Thank you Monika Dinsmore, my cheerleader extraordinaire. 

Mother and daughter enjoy a dinner out in Zihua

Thank you Nancy Fleege for arranging for the DoubleTree Hotel to donate hundreds of sample shampoos, conditions, and other toiletries.

Thank you Nancy Johnson for your donations and encouragement.

Thank you Newt and Susanna Maloney for your clothes donations, good advice and shelter in those last Eugene days.
 
Thank you Pat Sladey for 4 copies of Buenas Noches Luna, for your Las Cruces suggestion (my new home) and encouraging emails.

Thank you Ron Castiglione for your financial contribution, even when you couldn’t afford it.  Thank you too for 40 years of friendship and support.

Thank you Karen Woodard for your time and ideas.

Thank you Jose and Stacey Torres for Spanish lessons, translations, teaching suggestions and putting me in touch with Rockin’ Amigos. 

Thank you Terry Paulson for our long-term friendship, encouragement, writing about my adventure on your Blog, and letting me talk to your men’s group.  I love your optimism and thank you for being my “energy booster”.

Friend extraordinaire Terry (r) with wife Lorie

Thank you Sofia McManus for your lunch fund contribution.

Thank you Carmen Baylee for contribution to the lunch fund and you vocal support.

Thank you DAC guy Frankie Gonzales for contributing clothes and you enthusiasm.

Thank you Maria Ordonez for your clothes donation.

BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU:

The children of Octavio Paz are in a better place

The children of Los Joyas are in a better place

Karen (with proud mom) gets to go to university

Bernabe (l), Lizbeth and Jose Angel get to go to grades 7-12

AND I FEEL THE LOVE ... Adios, Memo