Animal Abuse
The Chapala Ecology Station is now located between Bancomer and the Beer Garden on the Chapala malecon.
This is the department of government that can process reports of animal abuse. Area residents can call (376) 765-8025 or email garciao@mx1_ibm.com.
Free-Esta
Don’t forget the all-day, all-free celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) on Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the LCS grounds. The day is designed to demonstrate the society’s goal of cultural integration. Events include live music for dancing, folkloric dancers, informational booths and stands, snacks and botanas provided by area restaurants, and much more.
Open Circle
Dr. Beth McDonald will delineate the factors involved in happiness when she speaks at the Open Circle on Sunday, November 8, 10:30 a.m. Her talk, titled “Who Is Happy?”, includes pointers on how to join the happy people. She looks at factors in the lives of these people that seem to promote happiness as she refers to studies of the areas of earth (including Mexico) that have the highest proportion of people who claim to be happy.
McDonald was a pharmacist and naturopathic physician in Seattle before she moved to Ajijic two years ago.
Book Party
Ajijic artist Janice Kimball is hosting a Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. celebratory pot luck dinner to honor author Liz Moulder on the completion of her book. The event will be held at Kimball’s Aztec Weaving Studios and will feature the book’s editor Kathy Koches, and Jim Tipton reading highlights from the witty stories.
“Tales of Stress: Stories of Hawaii, Guatemala and Mexico” reveals the culture shock, confusion and intrigue Moulder experienced while living among various cultures in foreign lands.
The book sells for 70 pesos at Diane Pearl Colecciones, Yves Restaurant, Super Lake and Kimball’s studio. It is also available on Amazon.com. Those planning to attend are to bring a dish to share and a beverage and RSVP to Kimball.
Consular Visit
The U.S. Consulate officers visit to the Lake Chapala Society will be on Monday, November 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The visit was changed due to the Day of the Dead holiday.
Remembrance Day
Pierre Alarie, the new Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, will be the honored guest at the Remembrance Day service conducted on Wednesday, November 11, 10:30 a.m. by two Lake Chapala organizations, the 904 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 1.
The event commemorating this special day is open to the public. Guests should plan to arrive and be seated by 10:30 a.m. at the property of the Sisters of the Order of Benedictinas Del Santisimo Sacramento, located about 300 meters north of the Carretera on Calle Jesus Garcia Norte. The street is across the Carretera from Panino’s Deli and Angelica’s Bistro. A sign will be posted on the corner.
Following the service there will be a barbeque catered by Hector España of Manix Restaurant, with music by Paul Brier and Friends. Cocktails will be served beginning at noon and the buffet will start at 1 p.m. A limited number of lunch tickets are available for non-members at 250 pesos and must be purchased ahead of the event by calling John Kelly at (376) 766-0422 or Susannah Kelly at (376) 765-2008.
Honoring Veterans
A full day of activities has been planned by American Legion Post 7 in Chapala to commemorate Veterans/Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, beginning with the solemn annual ceremony at 10:55 a.m.
A social hour is slated for 1 p.m., followed at 2 p.m. by the Post’s annual pit-roasted pig dinner served with baked beans, corn on the cob and ice cream sundae. Live entertainment for dancing rounds out the day’s activities.
Tickets for the event are 150 pesos and are available at the Post, Morelos 114 in Chapala. Call for information (376) 765-2259. Visit the Facebook page at facebook/americanlegionpost7chapala.
Marine Birthday
Area marines are organizing a casual event on Tuesday, November 10, 5 p.m. to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. The evening will start with a cocktail hour. Dinner and cake will follow at Adelita’s Bar and Grill, next to the church in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Contrary to earlier instructions, those who plan to attend should not call the restaurant directly to make a reservation. Instead, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 766-5243 to RSVP.
Learning Seminar
“Why I believe the mistreatment of women is the number one human rights abuse” is the subject of the Ted Talk by President Jimmy Carter to be shown at the Lake Chapala Society on Tuesday, November 10, noon-1:15 p.m. Fred Harland moderates the session, which is for LCS members only.
Carter has used his post-presidency years to work for peace and to teach, write and engage in global activism. In this address, he gives three unexpected reasons why the mistreatment of women and girls continues in so many manifestations in so many parts of the world, both developed and developing. The final reason he gives? “In general, men don’t give a damn.”
Lakeside Progressives
Myra Shreve will present a program titled “How to Evolve the United States of America into an Excellent Form of Government” at the Lakeside Progressives meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 4 p.m.
As Shreve will report, most experts agree that evolution is better that revolution and she will show ways to fix the broken U.S. system. During the meeting those attending will pass a hat to help fund the Progressives’ advertising campaign for U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
The Lakeside Progressives meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the Peacock Garden Restaurant on Colon in Ajijic. This group of like-minded people looks for progressive solutions to problems not being addressed by the major political parties.
Most attendees continue the discussion over an early dinner at the restaurant. The group’s Facebook page is Lakeside Progressives. Email Chad Olsen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.
Canadian Club
Canadian Ambassador to Mexico Pierre Alarie will be introduced at the Wednesday, November 11 gathering of the Canadian Club at La Nueva Posada.
A 30-minute session has been set aside at 3 p.m. so the ambassador can answer the questions of those in attendance.
Bob Miller has been scheduled to give the featured presentation about the way the world has changed and predictions of what lie ahead for Canadian citizens, Canada and life as it is currently is there.
Miller will precede his talk with a brief review on the role of the Canadian Navy in World War II and the Cold War.
Members of the group will notice that the time schedule of the meeting has been adjusted to allow time for the program and the ambassador’s visit. The meeting runs from 2:30-4:30 p.m,
Annual membership in the Canadian Club is 200 pesos and includes four 25-peso drink tickets. Membership renewals are now due. Non-members, including those who are not Canadians, are welcome to attend, but must pay a 50-peso charge. For additional information visit www.canadianclubmx.com.
Behind the Walls Tours
The first Behind the Walls Tour of the 2015-2016 season is slated for Wednesday, November 11. Those who sign up for this, or for any of the six monthly tours, will have the opportunity to see four beautiful homes, with the proceeds benefiting the students at the School for Special Children in Jocotopec.
The planning committee has added a sixth tour to the annual schedule to extend the popular events into April. Other Home Tours this season will be on Thursday, December 10 (Christmas Tour); Thursday, January 28; Thursday, February 25; Thursday, March 24 and Thursday, April 14.
Tickets are 200 pesos per regular tour and 300 pesos for the Christmas Tour. The planners are offering a season ticket for all six tours at 1,100 pesos. Tickets are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones or Charter Club Tours. If there is still space available, tickets will be sold at Ajijic Pier on the day of the tour. Ticket holders should meet at pier at 10:15 a.m. with the tour leaving for the first house at 10:30 a.m. For information call Jessie Wynant (376) 766-1438, Kathy Baker (376) 766-0420 or Leslie Martin (376) 766-2274.
LCS Closing
The Lake Chapala Society will be closed on Monday, November 16 for the official commemoration of Mexico’s Revolution Day.
Clothing Drive
Blankets and warm clothing items are still needed for Operation Feed’s annual clothing drive for the most economically challenged villagers of San Juan Cosala.
Volunteers will be sorting and setting up for the event on Tuesday November 17 and Wednesday, November 18, 9 a.m.-noon at Restaurant Viva Mexico on Porfirio Diaz in San Juan Cosala.
Additional volunteers would help speed the job. Call Cheryl at (376) 765-3306 or Sandy at (376) 766-1127 if you can help.
LCS Bus Trip
Lakeside shoppers can spend a day store hopping in Guadalajara’s Galerias Mall, Costco, Sam’s, Super Walmart and Mega on Wednesday, November 18. The LCS bus leaves the sculpture in La Floresta at 9:30 a.m.
Anchor stores in the mall include Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy, and Sanborn’s. They are surrounded by a wealth of boutiques and specialty stores such as H&M, C&A, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Crocs, Radio Shack, Mac Store and more. Top mall restaurants include PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse and a large food court.
Sign up now at 250 pesos for members and 300 pesos for non-members in the LCS office.
Jaltepec Dinner
Linda Buckthorp, coordinator of the Christmas dinner at the Jaltepec Education Center, reports that the students working in the kitchen and dining areas of the school recently completed a training session on seating for groups. “When they rearranged the renovated dining room, they discovered that we can seat 109 guests for our Christmas dinner,” she says.
Buckthorp had previously announced that the dinner was sold out but has now been able to seat the ten guests who were on the waiting list. Another 12 tickets are also available. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information about the event and the tickets.
Dia de Muertos
A tribute to the late Les Strong stood out in the exhibit of Dia de Muertos memorial altars set up along Avenida Madero by Preparatoria de Chapala students. Strong, an Ajijic Rotarian who passed away last July, was admired for his philanthropic activities during his years of residence at lakeside. The Rotary Club of Ajijic has set up a scholarship fund in his name to help worthy students finish their studies at the Chapala and Mezcala high schools. For further information go to lakechapalacharities.org/charities.html and click Rotary Club of Ajijic and choose Les Strong Scholarship Fund. Seen next to the altar above are Gardner Marcy, chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, and his assistant Luz Maria Sotelo Beltran.