You will not be seeing Charlie Klestadt out and about selling tickets for the upcoming Cruz Roja Luau at all his usual hangouts. But do not worry, while Charlie is recovering from his injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident on June 2, we have the next best thing – “Charlie’s Friends.” The wonderful residents in our community have banded together to make sure that ticket sales will go on.
Celebration of life
Elizabeth (Betty) Schrader passed away on Sunday, June 9. A celebration of her life and service to the lakeside community will take place on Monday, June 17, 2 p.m. in the Bill Schrader gazebo at the Lake Chapala Society. All are welcome. Her obituary will be published in next week’s edition.
For dads
A Father’s Day festival will light up the Ajijic Plaza on Sunday, June 16. Family entertainment is programmed immediately following the regular Sunday danzon dance classes from 6-8 p.m. There will be live music by Banda Incomparable de Ajijic, songs by impersonator Chuyito, games, contests and gifts for dads. Join in!
Peace workshop
Adults and youth interested in learning practical, proven skills and activities that can help them promote respect and peace in relationships, schools, organizations and communities are invited to participate in a workshop on Saturday, June 22 from 9:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
The group of not more than 20 will do fun interactive activities to experience the benefits of creating a peaceable community with conditions of safety, respect and trust. Communication activities and cooperative games will be appropriate to use with young people and adults.
Workshop facilitator Barbara Hildt has 20 years of experience in the field of violence prevention in the United States, teaching youth and adults how to create peaceable schools and communities using the HIP (Help Increase the Peace) program.
This basic HIP workshop, which will be in English, is sponsored by Alianza por una Educación Humanitaria, a program endorsed by the Jalisco Department of Public Education.
Democrats’ Fourth of July
The Lakeside chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico is holding a “Red, White and Pool” celebration on Thursday, July 4, from 3-7 p.m.. The event will be at El Pueblito Ote 38, next to Actinver’s office in Ajijic. The 150-peso entrance fee includes an all-American BBQ and one free drink.
Hector España of Manix Restaurant is preparing a menu featuring pork ribs, all beef hotdogs, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad and apple pie a la mode. A 50/50 raffle will be held and a cash bar will be available. Payment is accepted at the door, but you must RSVP by Tuesday, June 25 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 766-4842.
Tequila festival
The municipal government is organizing a three-day tequila festival on the Chapala waterfront over the weekend of June 28-30.
The Festival del Tequila Chapala 2013 will feature the stands of 40 Jalisco tequila companies, offering tasting and bottled tequila products.
Planned are displays of local crafts and gastronomy, a cultural program to include live music and dance, and conferences on tequila production.
The festival will run Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 28, 29 and 30.
Red Cross Luau
The second annual Chapala Cruz Roja Luau will be held at the La Huerta Eventos on July 27, 5 p.m. Come enjoy great entertainment and food catered by Manix along with a cash bar and a silent auction. Tickets will be available at the Red Cross table at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), Super Lake and also at the Tuesday market at La Huerta. For further information contact Christie Prine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For the few of you possibly not in the know, a luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast accompanied by entertainment.
Spanish classes
Spanish-language classes will begin at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) on Monday, July 15 and cover seven weeks of study ending on August 31.
The program uses the Warren Hardy course, which is designed for the adult student. Several levels of learning are available as students progress in the program.
Registration for these upcoming classes is currently under way at the LCS office, weekdays on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign-up for classes will be held the week of July 8-12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LCS campus.
Introduction classes
LCS offers casual classes for beginners that cover the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases to use about town for shopping, as well as other useful information on this area and Mexican culture.
Classes are held each month, starting the first Tuesday of the month and go on for four weeks. Next month’s classes start on July 2 and will be held at the LCS campus from noon until 1:30 p.m. Learning materials are provided for the student and the tuition fee is 150 pesos.
Sign up is currently available at the LCS office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society sponsors a bus trip to Guadalajara’s plush and pleasant Andares Mall on Wednesday, June 19. This shopping mall boasts Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro department stores, dozens of boutiques, footwear and fashion stores (including Zara), a food court (including Krispy Kreme), and several fine restaurants (including PF Chang’s). A Wal-mart adjoins the mall.
The bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. Sign up at the LCS table Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets cost 200 pesos per person.
‘Food, Inc.’
Two screenings of the 2008 documentary “Food, Inc.”, which examines how corporate farming in the United States is altering food and its production and distribution, are scheduled for Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29 at the movie theater in Ajijic’s Plaza Bugambilas.
This award-winning (Emmy) documentary shows how Monsanto and other agri-businesses are making inroads into controlling the world’s food supply, say the sponsors of the screenings. The desperate plight of Mexican farmers as a result of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is also covered in the film, they add.
The film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on both days. It will be in English with Spanish sub-titles, and the admission price is set at just 20 pesos.
Upscale
The Upscale Resale Bazar will again be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consignments are accepted on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All funds generated by donations and consignments help support two children’s homes: La Ola, in Jocotepec, and Hope House in Ixtlahuacan.
Store volunteers say that donations of freshly picked fruit (in sufficient quantities) can also be made to be passed on to the children.
The shop’s new telephone (106-0882) has been a real help in facilitating sales and deliveries of larger items, says volunteer Betty Parker.
The charity shop is run by volunteers and located just a few doors from Mom’s Restaurant and Maskaras Clinic in Riberas del Pilar.
Parker notes that there will soon there will be a café and delicatessen opening next door.
American Bandstand
Terry Morset and Jack Fallon will be playing the best music of the 1950s and ‘60s at a Doo Wops summer dance party to be held at La Bodega Restaurant (16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic) on Tuesday, June 25, 7:30 p.m. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. For reservations call 766-1002.
La Bodega also informs us that the first drink is on the house on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 16).
Freethinkers
Members of the Lakeside Freethinkers, who reject religious beliefs and rely on science and reason to guide their lives, will hold their regular third-Wednesday-of-the-month meeting on June 19. Hank Shiver will speak on “God and Country: Religion and the U.S. Constitution,” to be followed by discussion. For time and place, e-mail Ken Crosby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday, June 17.
Christ Church Anglican
Christ Church Anglican Fellowship will celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost on June 16 by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake (Carretera 10, Chula Vista, Ajijic). Father Danny Borkowski’s sermon topic is “Forgiveness,” based on Luke 7:36-8:3. Christ Church and the Little Chapel by the Lake share a common fellowship time between their two services in the Fellowship Hall of the Little Chapel from about 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.
Cursillo
From Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 25, the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico will sponsor a “cursillo,” an event in which Christians who wish to become better disciples of Christ and/or church leaders participate in intense teaching and project sessions in a retreat-like atmosphere.
If you are a cursillista or are interested in becoming one, contact Father Danny Borkowski at 766-2495.
Unitarians
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Sta. Margarita 113 (southwest corner of Santa Clara and Sta. Margarita) in Riberas del Pilar. On June 16, Bebe Hord, David Miller and Kathy Koches will give a talk about fathers. There will be a coffee hour following the service. For more information call 766-1119 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Fellowship would like to extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Jeanne Chaussee.
Little Chapel
The interdenominational Little Chapel By the Lake will hold its regular Sunday service at 11:15 a.m. The sermon by the Rev. Gene Raymer will be “Hear and Listen” based on Revelations 2. Following the service, members of the congregation will travel to San Juan Cosala for lunch at Viva Mexico.
Classes on “What We believe and Why” are continuing. Thus far, members have examined “The Apostles’ Creed” and “Communion.” The class chooses the topic for the following week’s class at each meeting. “We believe our diversity makes us stronger and more open to all who want to come and worship with us,” says Rev. Raymer.
St. Andrew’s
With a sermon title like this, “A Man After God’s Heart – and Bathsheba’s Body,” it’s clear that ancient King David will be one focus of readings at St. Andrew’s this week. But more importantly, the focus will also be on the ways in which every one of us is an amalgam of good and bad, light and dark, one and all in need of God’s grace. In the face of failure, what can we learn about life? Where does the betrayal of our values leave us, and how can God turn that betrayal into future hope?
This week’s sermon proclaims the ways in which God can turn trash into treasure. St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar. Worship on Sunday mornings is at 10 a.m., with a time of refreshment, welcome, and fellowship in the garden following the service.
Sing with St. Andrew’s
If you’ve ever wanted to sing with a choir, this Sunday is your chance. The music at St. Andrew’s will include a “pick-up” choir – no robes, no commitment, no church membership required. All you have to do is show up at the church at 9:20 a.m.
Presbyterians
Guest speaker Rev. Gene Raymer will address the subject of “Prayer” at Lakeside Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 16.
Perhaps you have thought you would like to pray, but know it’s not in the Janis Joplin mode of “Oh Lord, Won’t you Buy Me a Mercedes-Benz!” It’s just hard to get started. If this resonates with you, Rev. Raymer’s sermon may interest you. He will use as his text Matthew 6: verses 5-8, and 31-33. Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is located on the mountain side of the Carretera, just west of S&S Auto and Bubba’s Restaurant.
(Note: Friday morning Bible study will resume at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 2.)