British Society
Tony Burton, a British-born author who has specialized in exploring and writing about Mexico for over 30 years, will be the guest speaker at the Lakeside British Society luncheon, Saturday, April 2, 1 p.m., at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Lunch choices include pork chop stuffed with a cranberry sauce, spinach stuffed fish with an almond dressing or spinach salad with goat cheese. All choices are served with pea soup and raspberries and ice cream.
Call Sue at 766-0847 or Arlene at 766-1742 to reserve your seat.
Open Circle
Before a theatrical production ever makes it to the Lakeside Little Theatre or Bravo Theatre, unseen heroes work behind the scenes to build the magical sets that bring a play to life.
The program presented by the Phantoms of the Theater at Open Circle on Sunday, April 3 will demonstrate how theater sets are constructed by building a set, all in 45 minutes. Beginning with the director’s vision they will explain all that goes into a production set, including a demonstration of various painting techniques and sound effects. In addition, a DVD that shows how they lowered the LLT’s stage, removed the famous revolve, and deconstructed the set from “Good People” will be continuously showing in the Sala during the social time before the program. Expect to smell sawdust, hear tools growl, and feel the excitement, as flat boards become the context for drama.
Open Circle begins each Sunday morning, 10:30 a.m. in the garden at Lake Chapala Society. Fore more information see opencircleajijic.org.
Chamber of Commerce
Yolanda Martinez receives a certificate of appreciation from Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) President Fernando Topete (center) before turning over the lakeside branch of the business association to Chapala restaurateur Ricardo Reyes, the new chief officer. The local CANACO office has moved from Ajijic to new quarters at Madero 230, second floor.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha offers an extended meditation opportunity on the first Sunday of each month. Arrive by 9 a.m. on April 3, and participate in one, two or three hours of alternating sitting and walking meditation.
Every Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon, there is a silent meditation period. Monday, April 4, Heart of Awareness offers a “Dharma Movie Matinee” starting at 3 p.m. The movie will be followed by a pot luck. Everyone is encouraged to attend either or both.
Every Wednesday, Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed at 4:30 by a formal meditation period, dharma teaching and discussion period. On April 6 the teaching will be based on “Breaking Through” by Ezra Bayda, a San Diego-based Zen teacher and author.
A Drop In Practice/Study group meets every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Sangha’s location is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. The activities listed are open to anyone with an interest. The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha is grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior meditation experience or affiliation is not required. For further information on the Sangha, its location, and scheduled activities, visit www.heartofawareness.org or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to attend the Tuesday, April 5 learning seminar from noon to 1:15 p.m. featuring a TED Talk by the poet Rives: “The 4 a.m. mystery.” Reba Mayo is the moderator.
Part poet, part storyteller, part philosopher, Rives is the co-host of TEDActive as well as a frequent TED speaker. On stage, his poems burst in many directions, exposing multiple layers and unexpected treats: childhood memories, grown-up humor, notions of love and lust, of what is lost forever and of what’s still out there waiting to unfold. In this eight-minute presentation, Rives folds history into a series of coincidences surrounding that most surreal of hours, four o’clock in the morning.
Neill James lecture
Jim Cook presents “The Mexican Hacienda: its operation and daily life,” Tuesday, April 5, 2 p.m. in the LCS sala.
This lecture discusses the historical context within which the hacienda system came into existence and how it grew to dominate Mexico’s agricultural economy. It describes the lifestyle of the hacendado (owner), his family and the peones. It reviews the gradual breakup of the large haciendas after the Revolution and describes some local sites people may want to visit. To illustrate this presentation, the lecturer shows a number of photos taken during visits to Jalisco’s many haciendas.
Cook and his wife, Carole, have lived in Ajijic for more than eight years. Jim is a photographer and writer who has intensively studied Mexico’s ancient, colonial, and modern history. He has been particularly interested in the hacienda system, has read widely on the subject, and has visited and photographed more than 80 hacienda sites. Jim’s photos and writing on Mexico can be found in his blog, Jim and Carole’s Mexico Adventure.
LCS bus trip
The next LCS Bus Trip to Tonala and Tlaquepaque is on Wednesday, April 6. This popular trip provides shopping at a unique home décor and handicrafts center in Tonlala, followed by a visit to Tlaquepaque. This suburb of Guadalajara provides beautiful sculptures lining the streets, upscale retailers with many diverse items, as well as wonderful restaurants. To join this trip, buy tickets at the LCS office. Cost is 300 pesos for members and 350 pesos for non-members. The bus leaves promptly 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Correction
Information in this newspaper last week about the discussion group, All Things Tech, was inaccurate. It is held on Fridays in the LCS Sala, but begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. This is a discussion group about computer related technology such as iPhone, iPads, Windows PC, Mac computers, Android, tablets and smart phones. At this discussion group, beginners can learn from more experienced people.
Wine Tasting
The Lake Chapala Society invites one and all to a wine tasting event, Saturday April 16, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Fine wines from Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Spain will be paired with delicious cheeses and appetizers from Roberto’s Restaurant. Tickets for this event, 50 pesos for members and 100 pesos for non-members, are only available at LCS.
Wing Ding
American Legion Post 7 in Chapala will hold a Wing Ding feast with desserts Thursday, April 21. Cocktails begin at 3 p.m. with chicken wings, and pineapple/raisin coleslaw and choice of desserts available at 4 p.m. The cost is 100 pesos. Live music will be on tap. Contact Peggy Graves with questions and if you’d like to provide a desert, 765-6581.
CASA
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) created a new category they have never tried before (a take off on the popular “Food Network Chopped” series) at their most recent meeting on March 21.
Two people worked in teams with preselected ingredients. In category A: chicken, mango and beets and category B: goat cheese, raspberries and any type of chili.
First-place winners in category A were Leslie Yanko and Jose Fernandez with Mediterranean mango chicken with greens and beets. A tie for second place included the team of Catherine Suter and Marina Benz with Rolatini Jewels and Bev Denton and Gregg Byers with mango chicken curry and beet puree.
Patrick Waite and Mary Ann Waite took third place with their Asian chicken salad.
Monica Molloy and George Lindahl won the award for presentation and People’s Choice for their jerk chicken taquitos, beet puree, mango-habanero sauce with coleslaw.
In category B, Robertah Hilleman and Michele Lococo won first place and People’s Choice with picante kissed raspberry cheesecake cups. Margaret Ancira and Keith Sofka came in second with mousse Napolitano and third place and Presentation were take by Paulette Coburn and Keith Campo with Viva Italy.
A great time was had by all working together with a fellow CASA member to prepare their dishes.
The next CASA meeting is April 18 at La Misión Restaurant on Calle Rio Bravo and the categories are: French main dish and cakes, torts, and cheesecake.
For more information about CASA, contact 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..
Amigo Cup 2016
Slightly overcast skies did not deter the enthusiasm of the 88 golfers who teed off March 17 at the Country Club de Chapala in the 2016 Amigo Cup.
This tournament raises funds to support Kids And Their Future, an educational outreach program. The Amigo Cup tends to be an intra-club function, but this year the tournament welcomed the teams of two major sponsors, S&S Auto and La Casa del Waffle.
The winning team, Frankie Olson, Kathryn Vine, Douglas Silk, and Lynn Van Slogteren, walked off with prizes of four rounds of golf at the beautiful El Cielo Country Club and a gift pack donated by S&S Auto.
The second team winners, the S&S Auto Team, was comprised of Spencer Shulman, Karen Hertwich, Scott Rothwell and Tommy Rothwell. The third place winners were Read Vawter, Fran Reidelberger, Bob Skinner and Janis Phair.
For winning the putting contest, David Gurll was awarded a first-class golf bag donated by La Casa del Waffle.
Revenue generated by The Amigo Cup ensures the continuation of educational support for the children of the Country Club employees.
The Kids And Their Future committee is quick to acknowledge that it is not able to host this popular event on its own. They extend their appreciation not only to the tournament’s participants but also to the generous local businesses and individuals who contributed gifts and services.
LCS goes to McAllen
If you need a Texas or U.S. fix, the Lake Chapala Society is offering a trip to McAllen, Texas from Sunday, May 22 to Thursday, May 26. The trip includes three full days in McAllen, a four-night stay at a Hampton Inn, including continental breakfast. The price for LCS members is $US600 double/share or $US750 single. Non-LCS members must add $US50 to those prices. A $US100 non-refundable deposit (unless the trip is canceled) is due before final day of sign up on April 29. Final payment is due by May 6. A minimum of 30 persons are required to run the trip.
U.S. and Canadian citizens need valid passports, citizens from other countries need valid passports with valid U.S. visa.
Contact June Cooper at 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..