American Night
The restaurant Entre 2 will host two book signings by U.S. authors the same evening an exceptional Thanksgiving dinner is on the menu and a guitarist performs easy listening rock music in English.
Dubbed “American Night” (Thursday, November 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m.), the event features Guadalajara Reporter writer and Guadalajara resident Elaine Halleck presenting her book “A Parallel Universe,” which deals with “designer sex laws” in the United States. Also on tap the same night, San Diego poet and civil rights attorney Tomas Gayton reads poetry from his bilingual “Vientos de Cambio/Winds of Change.”
A menu of wine, beer, coffee and varied dishes is available, but to dine in season, French restaurateur Laurent Houdebine and Tania Ojeda, renowned for their exquisite touch in the kitchen, will offer a menu of turkey with guayaba stuffing, yam souffle, salad and more, with apple pie for dessert. Popular musician Mauricio Rodriguez entertains with light rock music, such as tunes by Cat Stevens.
Halleck’s “A Parallel Universe” (PM Press) was launched in October at the University of San Diego with co-author Alex Landon. Halleck was editor of “Living in Nazi Germany” (Greenhaven Press, 2003). Gayton published several earlier books of poems, which include “Yazoo City Blues,” “Time of the Poet,” “Dark Symphony in Duet” with Sarah Fabio, and “Two Races, One Face” with John Peterson.
Entre 2, 1 1/2 blocks east of Centro Magno, Calderon de la Barca 119, between Lopez Cotilla and La Paz. (33) 3630-6335
Marathon & parade
Guadalajara’s historic center is the place to be on the morning of Sunday, November 20, with both the men’s Parapan marathon and the Revolution Day parade to draw onlookers out of bed.
The men’s marathon begins at 7.30 a.m. at the Minerva Glorieta, with the route taking Avenida Vallarta and part of the same stretch of Avenida 16 de Septiembre and Alcalde as the parade, which starts at 10 a.m.
Disabled athletes from the games will also ride in eight of the 44 floats in the annual parade, which runs north from Avenida La Paz up to La Normal Glorieta.
The Parapan Games women’s marathon takes place Saturday, November 19, 7:30 a.m. in the same location.
Uruguay state visit
Uruguayan President Jose Mujica Cordano receives the Jalisco prize for Honor and Distinction from Governor Emilio Gonzalez during this week’s state visit, in recognition of his promotion of information and communication technology to improve education.
Cuervo Express
Competition for the Tequila Express tourist train has finally arrived.
From November 25, Jose Cuervo will launch its Cuervo Express to rival the service that heads off each weekend to the Herradura distillery.
Unlike the existing service operated by the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce, the new train will go all the way to the town of Tequila (the Tequila Express stops in Amatitan at the Herradura distillery).
To transport visitors, Cuervo has purchased a locomotive and carriages used by the Maya Express, which used to take tourists around the main archeological sites of south-east Mexico.
The new service will depart from the Guadalajara Technology Park, situated on the Nogales highway, three miles from the city’s Periferico, between the Rancho Contento subdivision and golf course and Venta de Astillero.
The inaugural service will be for invited guests only. The Express will then open to the public in the following days, although exact times and costs have yet to be released.
Minerva Fashion 2011
International designers and guest speakers will be taking part in fashion conferences and showing off their clothes on the catwalk at Guadalajara’s Annual Minerva Fashion show next month. With the aim of promoting up-and-coming fashionistas, stores and labels, Minerva Fashion 2011 takes place December 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Avenida Vallarta, from Los Arcos to the Minerva. For details visit www.minervafashion.com.mx.
Ice Park
That time of year is approaching already. Guadalajara residents are invited to combine Christmas shopping with family fun this December at the Ice Park, Navidad 2011. At Zapopan’s Foro Alterno from December 9 until January 8, the Ice Park will include a skating rink, tobogans, artificial snow, stage shows and an ice bar. Beside the ice rink there will be 98 stands selling electronic goods, clothes and souvenirs, so that adults can do their annual festive shopping, while the kids enjoy themselves on the ice.