Book fair
Literary types mustn’t forget that the 26th International Book Fair (FIL) opens Saturday, November 24 at Expo Guadalajara (Mariano Otero and Av. las Rosas).
Among the highlights, acclaimed U.S. author Jonathan Franzen will open the FIL’s literary salon with a talk Saturday, November 24, 12.30 p.m. Lovers of the beat generation will not want to miss popular Mexican actor Diego Luna performing Allen Ginsberg’s classic poem “Howl” with music by rock and folk star Jaime Lopez on Thursday, November 29, 8 p.m. There will also be live concerts from representatives of Chile, this year’s guest of honor, every evening in the Foro FIL at 9 p.m.
The FIL is open daily until December 2. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 26 to 28 for the general public). Entry costs 20 pesos (15 for children, students, teachers and senior citizens). For full details see www.fil.com.mx (the site has a complete English version).
Pacifist concert
To celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the pacifist En Son de Paz concert will be held in the Plaza de Liberacion on Sunday, November 25 from 4-8.30 p.m. Veteran musician Paco Padilla will headline the event, with Yohana Garcia, Espumas y Terciopelo and El Caloncho performing traditional Mexican music beforehand.
Diver honored
Fifteen-year-old Tapatio diver Alejandra Orozco was awarded the State Sports Prize during the Revolution Day parade on Tuesday. Orozco was presented with the award by Jalisco Education Secretary Jose Antonio Gloria Morales and Carlos Andrade Garin, director of the Jalisco Sports Commission (CODE), in recognition of the silver medal she won alongside Paola Espinosa in the 10-meter synchronized diving at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Better Bears
Things are looking up for the Guadalajara Bears, whose debut season in the Mexican Professional Basketball League has been profoundly disappointing. New coach Jeff Moore led the Osos to victories in two of his first three games in charge, following the dismal run of only two wins in the first 21 outings. The Osos play on the road November 22 and 24 but return to the CODE Dome in Guadalajara (Av. Alcalde, two blocks from La Normal Glorieta) for home games on Thursday, November 29 against the Lechugeros (Lettucemen) of Leon and Saturday, December 1, against the Abejas (Bees) of Guanajuato, both starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost 50 or 100 pesos and are available at the door.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
A Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in English titled “Safeguard Your Heart” is being held Friday, November 23 through Sunday, November 25 at the Palenque Alma de Mexico next to the Auditorio Benito Juarez (Alcalde and Periferico). At the convention the significance of the references to the heart that appear in the Bible will be explained. The convention will begin each day at 9:20 a.m. Admission will be free.
Forest Walk
The Reporter’s John Pint invites all for a guided walk in the Primavera Forest on Sunday, December 2, meeting at 11 a.m. in Fraccionamiento Pinar de la Venta, just inside the gate closest to Guadalajara on the highway to Nogales (about six kilometers from the Guadalajara Periferico).
You can learn the history of the Primavera Caldera and its Giant Pumic Blocks, walk through a beautiful Slot Canyon and taste the “world’s most delicious water.”
This is a short walk of about one kilometer each way and Pint recommends good shoes for walking in the woods.