It's no surprise that February is the pinnacle of the surge of northern visitors during the winter high season. Who wouldn't want to escape bitter cold, sheets of ice and piles of snow for a few days in warm, sunny Mexico?

What isn't readily apparent is the frantic pace Lakeside visitors and residents keep during this busy month. February isn't just about Valentine hearts, chocolate, flowers and love here on the shores of Mexico's largest natural lake. Many of the area's charities and causes plan gala fundraisers and events during the winter season so that our snowbirds will be able to attend. Other special events—annual events including the Lakeside Northern Lights Music Festival and the Lakeside Bridge Tournament—are scheduled so folks north of the border who want to participate can be here during February when the weather is dismal back home.

You'll find a listing of all the February events in our "What's Happening" column on the front page of this special Valentine's issue. What could be more appropriate than honoring all the volunteers (and all of the charities here are totally staffed and operated by volunteers) who donate their labors of love for others less fortunate—the children in area orphanages, the elderly in the charity-driven home, events to help crippled children and to pay for hundreds of kids' educations, and much more.

Lakeside romantics, a love story, and a loving home
The Living at Lake Chapala writing team has come up with great articles for this special Valentine's issue. Leading our hearts and flowers theme this month is Harriet Hart's People, Places and Things Valentine's guide for romantics. She's been out finding the most romantic gifts, places for Valentine's Day dinner and the most romantic couples and their most romantic acts. Don't miss this piece; it'll give you a rosy glow all month.

Next up, we're taking you to a different place in this new Mexican Kitchen. The only recipe Michael McLaughlin shares with us in this cocina (kitchen) piece is a tried and true story of one couple's love.

Then Shirley Hale comes to our pages for the first time to warm our hearts with a Homes and Lodging column story of how a group of Lakeside volunteers are helping provide a healthy life and good education for the 27 small residents of La Villa Infantil, one of the area's children's homes.

Figuring out the CFE, on the organic trail, hitting the boards, and Lots of murals
One common source of frustration for Lakeside newcomers and old-timers alike is the electric (CFE) bill. Georgina Russell has joined us this month to share some of the tips and information she's learned in the past few months while trying to unravel the ballooning costs of electric service. Not only does she share the facts she's learned on the trail to a lower electric bill, she's included a chart so you can see how much juice some of your favorite appliances are pulling in the new February Cost of Living column.

Jim Tipton took on the Out and About piece this month as he went on an informative trek in search of organic food outlets on one of the new ACÁ tours and talks. Wendee Hill and Marie Pruden came from Canada nearly 20 years ago to begin teaching organic farming in a variety of styles to Mexican students, housewives and farmers. Today they are producing a line with 70 organically-raised vegetables and herbs and countless students are growing more.

Another well-known Lakeside writer joining us this month is Ed Tasca who has avoided his normal tongue-in-cheek position to share with us his experiences this year as a newbie at the Lakeside Little Theater. Check out this Community article to learn about his process and to see the schedule for this season's remaining productions and the planned acting and directing workshops scheduled for June and July.

Carol Bowman (with her photographer husband Ernie Sowers) has been exploring the murals of Ajijic. Area artists, influenced by Mexico's grand tradition of great muralists and spurred by the art classes Ajijic writer Neill James provided for area youngsters, have provided a legacy of mural art for area visitors and residents of Lakeside.

Shirley's getting here story, Terry's Weight Watchers story, and Don Adams is back
Shirley Thayer is sharing with us her story of Getting Here. We continue to enjoy sharing the tales of how Lakeside residents discover our little corner of paradise and then decide to make the move to join us in Mexico. You'll like Shirley's story, too.

Now here is a good story—Elsa Wasserman is relating her friend Terry's tale of weight loss with the support of the newly formed Weight Watchers group. You'll enjoy seeing the series of photos of Terry as he moves through the process in our Health and Safety column.

Look who is back! Our dear friend Don Adams has done a reprisal on his own article about the weavers from Oaxaca. We originally published Don's article back in 2003, and as he's learned more about the process and about the families in Oaxaca who produce the naturally dyed, all wool rugs sold along the highway in Ajijic, he's been reworking his piece. We know you'll enjoy this all new work in our Soul of Mexico space. This is a story that is near and dear to Don's heart.

Friends of Don Adams, author of Head for Mexico: The Renegade Guide and former Lake Chapala residents will like knowing that although Don is continuing to wage his battle against cancer in Texas, he also continues to write and enjoy life. Our hearts and thoughts are always with him.

We hope you'll take another look at Harriet Hart's Valentine's Day piece and plan what you can do to show your love for your friends and loved ones on February 14. Then be sure to bookmark this page so you can remember to come back right here next month for our next new issue.

Peace, joy and love,

Judy King