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July 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:00:13 +0000

Cover: Jungle green by Thor Janson

Green has pervaded our July pages in several shades and forms, starting with Jungle green on the cover. Few can capture natural beauty as vibrantly as phototographer and wildlife conservationist Thor Janson. From the palette of Ken Veronda’s Sensuous Guatemala we are offered Emerald in all of its splendor. In Could Weeds Turn Guatemala Green?, Oliver Thornwhistle looks at two common weeds that could hold the keys to independence from petroleum imports. The green from Dwight Wayne Coop’s article comes from The Heart of the Forest, 40 hectares dedicated to an education and reforestation center. A Vertical Garden was Al Thompson’s green solution to the eyesore of his neighbor’s new, very high, white wall.

July brings celebrations all month long in honor of Antigua’s patron saint. On the opposite page local historian Elizabeth Bell answers the question Who was St. James? You can find information on the Santiago festivities in DateBook and on page 9. Check our smart-phone-friendly website for updates (revuemag.com).

Throughout the magazine you will find a sampling of memorable photographs taken by a friend of the Revue (and many others) who passed away last month. Atitlán’s Gerald (Jerry) Edward Smith is fondly remembered in Border Crossing on page 100.

Also in this issue… Joy Houston on Guatemalan Coffee, Bob Makransky on Guatemalan history, Kathryn Rousso on Guatemalan gourds and Dianne Carofino on Guatemalan food. Feel free to browse.

June 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:08 +0000

Protecting the Past (photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Hansen)

On the cover this month is Dr. Richard Hansen, director of the Mirador Basin Project, in front of an archeological excavation going on at El Mirador. His interview by Joy Houston includes some historical perspective and some future plans for this critically important region of Guatemala.

Matt Bokor takes us on two quick side trips: tranquil El Remate and the mysterious Caves of Actún Kan.

We have more great photos from some excellent photographers including Iván Cas-tro, Mario Beaulieu and Harry Díaz.

Making learning fun describes our two Spanish lessons. Guillermo Zuleta asks the question (and gives the answers) in How well do you know Chapín Spanish? Dwight Wayne Coop treats us to a new installment of the missed-by-many series The Zen of.

Fun and informative are the buzzwords for our columnists: Oliver Thornwhistle, Elizabeth Bell and Karmen Guevara.

Plenty to do on the cultural front, just check out the DateBook. If you’re a fan, be sure to attend the Third Annual World Archeological Convention starting June 18.

If you’re going to be outside of Guatemala and want to stay in touch, we have options. You can subscribe to Revue via RSS feeds, or, download the entire Revue in PDF and read it offline at your leisure, or, read articles, view photos and leave comments directly on our website, or, flip through pages of the Virtual Revue online with Flash. You can also connect with us on Facebook or follow current cultural events through Revue News Tweets. On our homepage you can find the Online Guatemalan Business Directory where you will be one click away from hundreds of useful websites including hotels, restaurants, services and shops. Just dial www.REVUEmag.com.

Enjoy your June.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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May 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:00:02 +0000

Roadside attraction (photo by Fernando Ismael García)

We start off with some storytelling this month with The Nahual. It is a word that signifies “moment of radiance” and if that’s not enough to grab your interest, wait until you read what happened to Don Chequel when he followed a trickster nahual into a tunnel.

Ever wonder how much of Guatemala you can see in just a couple of days? Turning a short visit into a long-lasting memory is entirely possible, case in point Guatemala in 90 Hours. If you’re ready for some international travel, You Can Get There From Here, Guatemala to Machu Picchu offers an interesting historical backdrop accompanied by some excellent modern day trip tips! From storytelling to travel, next up, what to wear in 2010? Welcome to the Era of Nice Paca Finds! If you’re a shopper and you haven’t been to the paca, you’re missing some great bargains.

The People and Project highlight this month is Friends of the Deaf; Thornwhistle takes on Luciérnagas, Here Come Guatemala’s Fireflies! E-Thinking of You makes a great case for reaching out via the internet and Guate Life, Dead or Alive makes a great case for staying out of the trámite lines! Cooking with Love is Spicing it Up with Asmena Pankanea and Sensuous Guatemala features Sunshine. FYI, Ask Elizabeth covers the new municipal construction at the east entrance to Antigua, the much needed parking lot and an update on the World-Class Destination Program.

In honor of Mother’s Day in May we have a great assortment of humorous and serious quotations about mothers and motherhood throughout this issue.

Thanks for reading the Revue in print, we’re also fun, free and informative online at www.revuemag.com. Watch for daily postings plus a trailer of Looking for Palladin premiering in Guatemala City this month.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

April 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:00:51 +0000

Story time photo by Jeffrey Jay Foxx

Our cover this month features the work of internationally renowned ethnographic photographer Jeffrey Jay Foxx. More of his beautiful photos can be viewed in the DateBook Highlight by J. Claire Odland on the upcoming exhibition 70 plus 30 Years of Mayan Culture. The exhibition also features textiles from the Hank duFlon collection.

Other photographers gracing our pages this month include Ange Bourda, Ana Aguilar, Eny Roland Hernández, Rudy Girón, César Tián, Jack Houston, Brent Holmes, George Carofino and Michael Sherer. We thank them for sharing their wonderful images with us.

We have some excellent writers to thank this month as well. Submitted for your approval: El Mirador– Champion of All; Brent Holmes reports on his trip, getting a VIP tour from Dr. Richard D. Hansen who has spent 25 years working the site. Joy Houston brings the past alive again with Faithful Treasures; restoring La Merced Monastery in Guatemala City. Food expert Dianne Carofino shares her lessons in Market Management, exploring the stalls at the Antigua mercado. Coffee-hater Dwight Wayne Coop aptly expounds on The Objective Virtues of Guatemalan Coffee. We find Thornwhistle in the garden campaigning for the ubiquitous Bougainvillea as the national flower. Michael Sherer gives a great argument as to why the ancient Mayan ball game is his favorite new sport in Whack, Thunk and Oof! Raconteur Ken Veronda reminds us to stop and smell the Seasonal Scents.

For readers of Spanish, Guillermo Monsanto writes a touching piece, Nuestros Ángeles, about sculptress Rae Frese Leeth and her upcoming exposition.

We wish you a Happy April.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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March 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:00:54 +0000

Cucurucho by Iván Castro ivancastroguatemala.blogspot.com

Though this is a Revue anniversary issue, to keep things in perspective, the cover Cucurucho by Iván Castro symbolizes the incredible grandeur of Holy Week in Guatemala. But even before there were religious processions and celebrations, Joy Houston takes us back in time to Turning Points. The year was 1541 and “thatched-roof shelters went up all over in Santiago de los Caballeros, now La Antigua Guatemala … By the end of the 17th century there were 38 churches, including 16 monasteries and convents.”

Jumping ahead a couple of centuries, we hope that you enjoy this year’s anniversary retrospective featuring: The Birth of a Camioneta; The First Wave; Sensuous Guatemala, Semana Santa; A Linguist in the Mercado; Coyol Bouquets; and The Language of Corn. We are grateful to these authors and to so many others whose work has graced the pages of the Revue for all these years. And to a host of talented photographers, thank you for sharing the fruits of your labor with visual images that move us from tears to laughter to awe and inspiration.

The magazine is fueled by Revue advertisers who trust in our efforts to promote their businesses, and of course by readers in print and online who give us feedback and encouragement—we are most appreciative! Last but never least, Revue staffers, thank you for your loyalty and commitment to the magazine.

A quick change of pace: what to do this month? We have some interesting DateBook highlights: 13-Threads presents an International Women’s Day celebration; theater: “What Does a Dumpit Look Like?”; plus Festival Atitlán, workshops, excursions, art shows, music and more!

This edition is dedicated to the memory of Bill Paddock and Jane Binaris.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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February 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:11 +0000

Caldo de Pata (Photo by Rudy Girón/AntiguaDailyPhoto.com)

Deciding where your next dining out experience is going to take place entails some decisions. What kind of food do you and your companions feel like indulging in? Gourmet? Local? International? What price range? What kind of ambience? Formal? Casual? Breakfast or lunch? Dinner here, dessert there?

The decisions become even tougher when there are so many wonderful eateries to choose from. The Revue can help you with your quest. Throughout the year, we will be publishing various “Dining Samplers” from restaurants around the country.

In February we start with the Antigua Dining Sampler. Presented are over 80 palatable possibilities, from traditional Guatemalan breakfasts to complex world-class desserts. With over 40 restaurants represented, we’ve also included some beverages and appetizers. ¡Buen provecho!

If you have some particularly favorite dining choices to include in our future issues, we would love to get your “feed”back at dining@revuemag.com.

Of course, there are plenty of other things to do this month besides eat. Included in our pages is a Walking Tour of “Old” Pana; an excursion to a young winery and where you can taste the fruits of their first vintage; a heads-up on next month’s Festival Atitlán; some Valentine’s Day musings; Photo Ops from Guatemala City’s central market and from the beaches of El Salvador; and there are always plenty of fun options in the DateBook cultural calendar, including a few very interesting and interactive charity events.

If you missed seeing the 7th Annual Revue Photo Issue in January, it’s all online at www.revuemag.com. Enjoy February!

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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January 2010 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Fútbol Playa —Guillermo Rafael Cuyún Figueroa

101 photographers responded with submissions for our 7th Annual Revue Photo Issue, and what an assortment of wonderful, beautiful, amusing, touching and creative images we received. Again this year it was extremely difficult choosing only one from each photographer, and we will be publishing some of the extras over the next few months. Our heart-felt thanks go out to all the photographers who took the time to share their art with us.
All of us at Revue hope you enjoy these photographic treasures and that your new year is full of joy and beauty.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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December 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:21 +0000

Tradiciones al rojo vivo (photo by Ricardo Gándara)

We are excited to bring you this Christmas potpourri starting with the cover image taken by photographer Ricardo Gándara. We hope our annual Guatemala Holiday Calendar is useful; Joy Houston extends an invite to tour nacimientos; Elizabeth Bell highlights Festivities in Ciudad Vieja, accompanied with photos by Gary Kaney; there is also a host of other holiday photo ops taken by additional talented photographers; Charlie Brown in Santiago was penned by humorist Dwight Wayne Coop and Ken Veronda’s monthly “Sensuous Guatemala” is the delicious Holiday Scents.

In keeping with December traditions, DateBook includes a Christmas bazaar; a theatrical performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas; listings for Quema del Diablo (Burn the Devil), celebrations and parades to honor the Virgen de Concepción; Christmas concerts, an opportunity to be a part of a Posada Navideña; and Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe celebrations. In addition there are art shows, lectures, musical events, workshops and much, much more.

For book lovers we have “Book Alerts;” “People and Projects” presents Thirteen Threads; and Anthony Brindisi gives us some holiday gift buying possibilities—all handmade by the women of San Rafael Chilascó.

There’s still more, “Great Escapes,” the final in the El Pilar series; “Sports”—and how giving, gives back; “Health Issues” reports on devastating statistics that are offset by dedicated people and their organizations who’ve found some workable solutions.

We dedicate this edition to Dr. John Cheatham, 1940-2009. He leaves the world a better place and forever an example of selflessness and service.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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November 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:00:55 +0000

Banco de Guatemala building Photo by Freddy Murphy

Welcome to the November issue. Maintaining our specified purpose, this month’s magazine is chock-full of things to do, places to go, eateries to enjoy, services to partake of, and other useful information. The DateBook allows you to be able to plan to attend over 80 cultural events if you so desire.

We have included for your reading pleasure contributions from several writers. Ana Flinder tells us where we can find November’s patron saint day celebrations for St. Catherine and St. Andrew. Dwight Wayne Coop reports the latest updates concerning the debates over the proper response to Lake Atitlán’s ecological future, and what’s being done now.

Kathie Friedley offers a Guide for Architectural Tourists. One of Laura McNamara’s pieces this month is part 2 of the El Pilar habitat. Ken Veronda challenges us to Find the Heliotrope, Dr. Karmen discusses home, a Book Alert by Dianne Carafino covers Cooking with Audrey and DateBook Highlights detail upcoming cultural events.

As well as the impressive photograph on our cover this month, we have included more of Guatemalan photographer Freddy Murphy’s camera work on pages 42, 64 and 72 in a continuation of our Photo Op series. Murphy won 2nd place in last month’s Chirmol City Contest with a series of four photos, including the cover photo.

A reminder to photographers: if you would like to participate in the Revue 7th Annual Photo Issue (January, 2010) please submit your photos to photos@revuemag.com no later than December 10, 2009.

We’ve moved our Antigua offices to 6a calle poniente #2, a block south of the park. Stop by and say hi if you’re in the neighborhood. In the meantime, we hope you have a terrific November.

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October 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:00:45 +0000

Lift-off (photo by César Tián)

Don’t be insulted if someone tells you to “go fly a kite” this month. As the cover photo by César Tián demonstrates, kite flying is a serious subject for celebrants of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). In her article on page 14, Ana Flinder explains: “Celebrated in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day on November 1 and All Soul’s Day on November 2, this holiday is especially important in Latin America. While Mexico is best known for its Día de los Muertos celebrations, which include pageantry, processions and public display of altars to the dead, in Guatemala it is more often celebrated as a family holiday, and usually called Día de los Difuntos.”

Lots of fun stuff happening in October, the DateBook is overflowing: art exhibits, photo workshops, theater productions, discussions and lectures, expositions, book and film presentations, festivals, dance groups and classes, social gatherings, halloween parties and plenty of live music.

In his Lake Views column, Dwight Wayne Coop gives us a peculiar theory on why October 12 is not “Colón Day.” Ignacio Ochoa gives us some tips and history of traditional kite making in Santiago Sacatepéquez. Judy Cohen’s second installment on honey covers the healing aspects of this amazing food.

El Pilar is a beautiful natural habitat just outside of Antigua, and we explore it via Laura McNamara’s writing. McNamara also interviewed Guatemala personality Vida Amor De Paz for this issue.

Revue columnists Ken Veronda writes a picture describing the joys of the kites of October and Karmen Guevara encourages us to “Become the Master.”

May your October be better than what you expected and we’ll see you next month.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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September 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:00:10 +0000

Libre al viento (Photo by Rudy Girón/AntiguaDailyPhoto.com)

Groups of school-aged drummers practicing daily in the streets alert us that Independence Day is soon upon us and a celebration is in order. Although September 15 is the specific holiday, throughout the month there will be parades, concerts, fireworks, torch-wielding marathon runners and general flag-waving fun.

September also brings the month-long FOTO▶30 Festival. This series of over 30 exhibitions and workshops spotlights photography with events country-wide.

Datebook starts on page 24 and you can find information about these and many other celebrations, lectures, exhibitions, conferences and concerts happening in September.

Other topics in this issue include some destinations worth traveling to, the Tzantizotz Nature Reserve and Central America’s tallest waterfall, Salto de Chilascó. We cross over to the culinary side with an introduction to the versatile Güisquil, including a tasty recipe. The state of the honey bee in Guatemala is also discussed in connection with the food we eat.

Dwight Wayne Coop reveals what his research reaped about the “real” Independence Day, and he brings us news from a highland hospital that reduced its paperwork while improving its water supply.

Laura McNamara’s contributions this month include the funding problems a local rock climbing club is having, and how a film crew is working to keep Guatemala’s fledgling film industry alive.

Panajachel’s Patron Saint is celebrated in October and we’ve included a piece about what to expect with some photos of last year’s feria.

We hope you enjoy and find useful the Revue this month. There is plenty to read and things to do on every printed page as well as our digitized pages online.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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August 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:00:18 +0000

Night Time at the National Palace (Photo by Iván Castro - www.ivancastroguatemala.com)

Kilómetro Cero (Kilometer Zero) is located at the National Palace in the Historical Center of Guatemala City’s Zone 1. From there the distances on all roads in the country are measured. The National Palace is located on the Plaza Mayor, and when you turn the next page writer Michael Sherer will take us on a fun sightseeing tour of this beautiful area.

Our thanks once again to the talented photographer Iván Castro for this month’s cover of the National Palace. August 15th is Guatemala City’s patron saint day. All month the city will be celebrating in honor of the Virgen de la Asunción, including many events in the historic center.

This issue brings the final installment of Joy Houston’s Healthcare in Colonial Guatemala series, covering the University of San Carlos Medical School. Jack Houston’s profile of Robert Hinshaw explains how years of anthropological study can result in a pair of novels centered around Lake Ati- tlán. People and Projects shines the light on Progresa, a scholorship/loan program that has been around for 35 years. Dwight Wayne Coop reveals through some interesting logic what Guatemala’s national dish is.

This month we welcome a new contributing writer to Revue. Laura McNamara brings us several great stories—from a unique street artist to a well-known marimba group to a foundation for the welfare of equines to a possible rising rock star. Creating a multimedia extension of the Revue, Laura has taken videos to accompany some of her articles, and they can be found on our website. Also new to our website is the “Revue News Tweets” (thanks to webmaster Rudy Girón) where you can get your daily DateBook event fix. Thanks as well to Ken Denham for his story suggestion.

We wish you all a happy August.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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July 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:18 +0000

Peek-a-boo! Photo by Debbie Jefkin-Elnekave.

Concerts, art shows, fashion shows, conferences, lectures, slide shows, dance recitals, stage plays, circus acts, folk dancing, films, workshops, local bands, tours … if you can’t find something fun to do in July, it certainly isn’t our fault for not telling you about it. DateBook starts on page 24 waiting to be used.

There is plenty to read about on other Revue pages this month. We’ve got a few stories with an educational theme, starting with a new English-language teaching program at Guatemala’s Del Valle University Altiplano. Then there is the Colegio Hebrón, creating a “first” for Guatemala with its homeschooling curriculum. The group at Niños de Guatemala are providing education to kids in Ciudad Vieja, and the American Legion has created the Steve Skelton Memorial Library.

The research efforts of Joy Houston and the photography of Jack Houston allow us to learn about medical history in Part II of Healthcare in Colonial Guatemala.
Dwight Wayne Coop discusses a number of topics this month, including the weather and an art exhibit coming to Panajachel.

Oops, running out of space here, please check our table of contents for more great articles. We once again express our gratitude to all of our contributing writers.

July 25 is Día de Santiago, a celebration in honor of the patron saint of La Antigua Guatemala, with procesessions and cultural festivals throughout the month.

The lovely photo on our cover was taken on a medical mission in Alta Verapaz by Debbie Jefkin-Elnekave while she was volunteering for Partner in Surgery (page 128).

We wish you happy trails in July, hopefully we can be of some assistance. If you need back issues of Revue just browse through them at www.revuemag.com

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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June 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:00:54 +0000

Iximché (page 10) Photo by Iván Castro/ivancastroguatemala.com

Our cover story this month takes us to the ruins of Iximché. Writer Dwight Wayne Coop cites many good reasons for visiting the park and an update of what’s new there, as well as a brief history of this battle-torn center of the Kakchikel domain.

If you are one of the many who agree that food tastes better when it is cooked in a clay pot, check out Kathy Rousso’s article, Clay Crafting in Tutuapa. There the Maya women create beautiful, functional pottery using only their hands and basic tools.

Woodcarving has a long-standing tradition in Guatemala. Ira Lewis’ Artistry in Wood gives us some background and some tips on how to find the right carver for any custom woodwork you may need.

In part one of Healthcare in Colonial Guatemala, Joy Houston takes us to the 16th century to learn what medical options were available for wounds from enemy arrows, burns or natural disasters. The photos by Jack Houston show us where you can still see remnants of an ancient hospital.

Plus, we have lots of other fun stuff like: A festival in Senahú by Brent Holmes; La Fida in El Salvador; Book Alert, Plants of the Montane Forests; Dr. Karmen Guevara on time; Sensuous Guatemala by Ken Veronda; Ode to Old by Martin Leadbitter; and a Photo Op by Lena Johannessen.

Border Crossing honors the life of a wonderful friend lost, Pat Cornell. Her grace and charm will be missed by many.
Let us not forget to honor our fathers, alive and passed, this month. There are several fatherhood quotations throughout the mag as well as some funny travel quotes.

If you are ready to be entertained the DateBook section has lots of great options.

Just think of this issue as a Revue tool-kit to help you to enjoy your June.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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May 2009 in Revue Magazine

Revue Magazine — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:00:55 +0000

Wildlife conservationist Thor Janson (page 12) www.bushmanollie.com

Welcome to the May edition of Revue. Our cover story, written by Jack Houston, is Thor Janson, wildlife conservationist, environmentalist, educator, adventurer, photographer extraordanaire, and author of 16 photography books—many from his years exploring the jungles of El Petén. His two most recent books are La Antigua Guatemala and In the Land of Green Lightning.

May 18 is Museum Day throughout the world, and Guatemala has gone one step further, expanding all of May into Museum Month. We have a listing of more than 30 museums around the country you may enjoy visiting. We also have an article on the Museo de Arte Guatemalteco Primitivo-Contemporáneo.

On other cultural fronts, writer Dianne Carafino takes us on a visit to the artist community of Comalapa. A DateBook Highlight by Dwight Wayne Coop introduces us to Panajachel artist Ursula Baumann. Photographer Victoria Stone shows a side of the Kuna people of Panama. The Notre Dame Glee Club and Symphony Orchestra are coming to Guatemala. And so many other musical treats we had to expand our Music section.

May brings May flowers and May showers—for more on this, see pages 78 and 128.

Other fun things in this edition include a glimpse at Guatemala’s sea salt industry, a tour of the local plant where they produce the EcoFiltro for cheap potable water, and an introduction to the good works being done by the NGO CasaSito.

Of course, in May we also put aside a day to remind our mothers that we do indeed love them. We better, because without them most of us wouldn’t be here.

Thanks for reading Revue, in print or online, and have a great month.

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

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