Bicycle Trip
Canadian John Murtaugh is in the midst of a solo 70th birthday adventure as he cycles from Toronto to Mexico to raise funds for a charity originated by his wife during the 30 years she vacationed in San Miguel de Allende.
Murtaugh is undertaking the ride for Amistad Canada’s support of the Centro para Adolescents de San Miguel de Allende (CASA) and particularly the midwifery school, the anti-violence programs and the rural libraries which were his late wife Elizabeth’s pet projects.
The trip also commemorates the 1956 ride from Mexico to Canada by a pair of Mexican brothers featured in the film “Ciclo.” Those wishing to learn more about the projects John is riding to support – as his long ride – can follow his progress on the Bi-CICLO Facebook page or at www.amistadcanada.org.
Save the date
On Saturday November 7, the Lake Chapala Society (LCS)will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a grand all-day “Free-esta.” Dozens of lakeside non-profits and businesses will participate. There will be live music, dancing, displays and free food provided by local restaurants. LCS invites all expats and Mexicans to participate in this special celebration.
Interact Rotary
Jalisco high school Interact Rotary Clubs from Chapala, Ocotlan and Tlaquepaque attended the First Rotary Interact Intercity Assembly on September 5 at the hacienda of Rotary District Governor-Elect Ricardo Preciado and his wife, Araceli, in San Pedro Tesistan.
In attendance at the event were Sunrise Rotary President Sheila Paul, New Generations Chair Henri Loridans and ten local members.
Leadership is an essential aspect of Rotary and Interact clubs. Programs in local high schools help emerging leaders develop skills. Each Interact club completes two service projects a year. One helps their school or community. The other promotes international understanding.
Interact clubs meet at least twice a month and are sponsored by a local Rotary club. This is the second year the Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club has sponsored the Interact Club at Colegio Octavio Paz.
For more information about adult or high school participation in Rotary clubs, visit www.rotary.org or www.chapalarotary.org or visit the Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club Facebook page.
Niños Incapacitados
Niños Incapacitados provides financial assistance to help low-income Mexican families pay the medical expenses of children with serious disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.
DIF, the Mexican Family Social Services organization, allows the charity to hold clinics at their facility in Chapala every two weeks. These events are the forum for review of the children’s current medical status and reimbursement for treatments, medicines, prostheses and transportation to and from distant doctor visits.
Imagine the glorious surprise at the September clinic when the parents discovered that the building’s drab foyer had been transformed by a series of colorful murals by local artist Jesus Lopez Vega. Children and parents proudly posed for photos in front of the realistic Mexican scenes that depict the country’s culture.
Niños Incapacitados supports its activities through fundraisers, bequests, donations and sales. The fundraisers planned for the upcoming fall and winter season include:
Thursday, October 29 – Cugini’s Boutique Fashion Show.
Sunday, November 8 – Kermés in Cristiania Park, Chapala.
Tuesday, January 12 – Trivia Quizzes.
Monday, January 25 – Robbie Burns Dinner.
Thursday, March 10 – The annual dinner/dance, the gala “Diamonds and Denim Ball.”
For more information about these events, or to reserve tickets, visit www.programaninos.com.
Niños Incapacitados holds open monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta. The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 8. Participants gather for coffee at 10 a.m. The brief business meeting is at 10:30 a.m. Each month one of the group’s children is introduced so that members can meet the kids and their families.
Bus Trips
The next popular LCS Bus Trip to the Galerias Mall in Guadalajara is scheduled to leave from La Floresta on Thursday, September 24, 9:30 a.m. There are 12 seats left for this trip.
Galerias includes anchor stores Best Buy, Sears, Liverpool and Sanborn’s, as well as great restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Applebees, Chilli’s and Outback Steak House. Costco, Sam’s and Walmart are alongside the mall.
Purchase tickets at the LCS office soon. Members pay 250 pesos and non-members 350 pesos.
Bilingual Toastmasters
The Lago de Chapala Toastmasters Club has resumed alternating Spanish and English meetings on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sala of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
The group urges community members interested in developing speaking and leadership skills, building self-esteem, overcoming shyness or learning to communicate clearly in Spanish and English speakers to join the fall program of the club.
The events start with coffee and conversation at 6:30 p.m. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Lago de Chapala Toastmastera is mourning fellow member Andrea Kareen Holme Buenzli, who died Sunday, August 23. They continue to miss her wit and dedication.
Wine Fest
The LCS and 4 Restaurant are joining forces to host a Wine Fest on Saturday, October 17, from 3-7 p.m. on the LCS Campus. The 100-peso tickets will include tasting an extensive wine selection from around the world, including, of course, Mexico. Wines can be purchased by the glass, bottle or case.
Black Swan with Diamonds will be provide their delightful style of music for the event, which also includes an array of appetizers created by 4 Restaurant. The admission fee does not include the food or beverages. Tickets are available at the door or at the LCS office. Don’t miss this new unique event.
Open Circle
Every welcome and every introduction in every native tribe or band that Rachel McMillen visited in her more than 30 years of sailing the northwest coast always included the words, “And to all my relations …”
During her talk at Open Circle at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, she explains that every time it is spoken it reaffirms the people’s absolute belief that they are one with the earth they live on and all the other creatures that inhabit it. It is a belief that that works not only with today’s environmental challenges, but with agricultural and land-use issues. It is a belief that encourages a sustainable economy. At Open Circle McMillen will talk about what this belief can teach us.
McMillen is a wife, mother, teacher, adult educator, accountant, computer program developer and an author. Born in England and raised in Australia, she moved to Canada in 1968 and has lived in Ajijic for five years.
Attendees at Open Circle gather in the back garden of the Lake Chapala Society at 10 a.m. for fellowship and refreshments. The program begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. with meditation.
Mahadevi Prem will speak during the Sunday, September 27 meeting of Open circle on the topic, “Mantra, the Power of Sound and Words.”
Spiritual Living
Fifty friends from Lakeside Bilingual Toastmasters, Season for Nonviolence, Mujeres del Lago and the Center for Spiritual Living gathered to honor Andrea Buenzli in a Sunday, September 13 memorial service.
The Thursday discussion group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon when the focus is Pema Chodron’s book “The Places that Scare You; a Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times.”
The course, “Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent meets on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to discuss questions including “Who am I? Where Did I come from ? Where am I going? How shall I live? Why? From? Where Am I Going? How Shall I Live? Why?”
The Centers for Spiritual Living is at Nicolas Bravo 17 in Ajijic. For details, contact Tim Schubert (376) 766-0920 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..