POSTED: Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

New club for people who love Spanish, Latin American culture

Eric Duran laughs when he's reminded that he does windows in both Spanish and English, so to speak. The proprietor of Duran Window Cleaning is also coordinator of Club de Lenguas, a Spanish conversation club.

The group, which is open to anyone with an interest in learning better Spanish or learning about Latin American culture and music, meets Thursday mornings at World Cup Coffeehouse.

About the club: "I have loved learning about languages since I was about 10 years old growing up in Indianapolis," said Duran, 50, who has lived in Bellingham since 1996. "Now I give private Spanish lessons, and I once taught languages in Mexico. I love helping people learn the beauty of the Spanish language and Latin culture."

Duran seeks out speakers with an interest in Latin heritage to attend club meetings, and does his best to accommodate all levels of Spanish speakers, especially enthusiastic beginners.

"I know everyone's level of Spanish and I talk at the level to which they can respond," he said. "When needed, I can interpret for our speakers, since they address our group in Spanish."

Duran, the son of a woman of mostly Irish descent and a man from Mexico, Joaquin Duran Jimenez Castro, recently released "El Mexico de Joaquin," a book devoted to his father's memories of Mexican history, language and culture.

Why he founded the club: "Tony Robles (a local children's book author and retired U.S. Customs agent) and his wife, Yolanda (Calderon, who operates World Cup Coffeehouse), encouraged me to form the club last year," Duran said.

"It was very appropriate to make friends with Tony and Yolanda. I'm told my dad's first phrase in English was, 'I want a cup of coffee.'"

Major events: "On Nov. 3 we're planning to start a movie series I call 'Mexico en pantalla,' which means 'Mexico on screen,'" Duran said.

The club also is planning a celebration next September for the bicentennial of Mexico's independence from Spain.

Member stories: "Kathy Hertz is the wife of former Bellingham mayor Ken Hertz and she's a very kind and supportive member," Duran said. "They own a house in Mexico and they love the language."

John Ferreiro volunteers with the Whatcom Literacy Council and, with relatives in Spain and Mexico, also loves the language, Duran said.

Victor Flores, a painter from Mexico City, lives in Fairhaven. "He's a native speaker who does beautiful work and really helps our club," Duran said.

Michelle Nolan is a freelance writer.

Box

CLUB GLANCE

Name: Club de Lenguas (Spanish Language Club).

Purpose: Provide opportunities to practice Spanish and to learn about Latin American culture.

Meets: 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays World Cup Coffeehouse, 2118 James St.

Year started: 2008.

Number of members: About 15.

Contacts: 303-2382 or duraneric@comcast.net. Online: learnmexicanculture.com.

Leadership: Eric Duran, coordinator.

More: If you know of a club to be profiled, contact Dean Kahn at 715-2291 or dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com.