Open Circle
John Stokdijk presents “Out of the Shadows” at Open Circle on Sunday, October 16, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
Stokdijk will share his insights into mental health and mental illnesses. He will also share his life-long personal struggle with maintaining good mental health. Stokdijk will also address the topic in light of a transition from a career in Canada to retirement in Ajijic.
Stokdijk served for 12 years on the Boards of the Canadian Mental Health Association at the local (Calgary), provincial (Alberta), and national levels. He was Chief Financial Officer of the Mental Health Commission of Canada which was launched in 2007 to act as a catalyst for improving Canada’s mental health system. Stokdijk has attended numerous conferences and workshops covering mental health from a wide variety of perspectives. Over many years, he has been personally acquainted with many individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Lakeside Freethinkers
Mel Goldberg, local author and award-winning poet, will be the speaker at the Wednesday, October 19 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers. Goldberg believes that Judaism has always been pro-science, requiring that current scientific knowledge be factored into religious doctrine. He also believes that science is ongoing and constantly changing but, with time, scientific theories are getting closer and closer to Judaism. This presentation should be thought provoking and stimulate an interesting discussion.
The Lakeside Freethinkers meet at the La Nueva Posada restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. Dinner and additional discussion usually follow.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
If you would like to attend, or just obtain additional information, 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..">.
Gardeners’ question time
Three master gardeners, including the celebrated Jeannie Green, Kevin Dyer and Jack West, will be in the firing line at the next meeting of the Lake Chapala Garden Club, Wednesday, October 19, noon at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic.
The meeting is titled “Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Gardening but Never Dared Ask” and is expected to draw a record audience of members and guests.
The panel, which has already had time to do its homework, will offer a cornucopia of invaluable horticultural advice targeted at green fingered Lakesiders.
The 45-minute question time, over lunch, follows an hour’s tour of a picturesque member’s garden with fruit trees and fragrant eucalyptus in Las Salvias, and breathtaking lake and mountain views.
Every third Wednesday in the month, sees the Lake Chapala Garden Club meeting at La Nueva Posada Hotel, in Ajijic.
A yearly membership fee of just 100 pesos, or 150 pesos for a couple, offers Garden Club members the privilege of touring some of the most beautiful gardens at Lakeside and discounted prices on specially selected videos.
Members and guests are asked to respond to their invitation promptly to avoid disappointment.
To find out more, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see www.lake chapalagardenclub.org.
Ajijic Singles
xxxThe Ajijic Singles meet Wednesday, October 19, 4-6 p.m. at El BarCo. Prizes will b e given for winners of “the ole Putting Green contest,” snacks will be served and special prices will be offered on drinks. If you plan to attend, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha meets weekly on Wednesdays. Noble Silence begins at 3:30 p.m. followed at 4 p.m. by a formal meditation period, dharma teachings and discussion. This week, on October 19, the teaching will be from a Tricycle Retreat titled “Letting Go and Moving Forward.” Part 3 is a talk on “The Fundamentals of Change” with Kevin Griffin.
The Dharma Movie Matinee (to be announced) is on Monday, October 17 at 3 p.m.
The center is open for hour-long silent meditation periods Sunday and Monday, from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.
A yoga class suitable for all levels of experience is offered at Heart of Awareness on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
The Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian community grounded in the teachings of the Buddha. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. The sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (331) 043-4669.
BBQ on the hill
Renowned El Salto Ranger BBQ will offer smoky pork, delicious chili bean and potato salad at a benefit for La Ola Orphanage’s new construction project.
Help these girls get into their new digs before Christmas! The event will be held on the extensive grounds of Hotel El Perico, Saturday, October 27. Tickets are 400 pesos. Call 387-763-0749 for more information on La Ola and this event.
Tuck in for Red Cross
Carlos Pantoja will open the doors of El BarCo Restaurant for two evenings of fine dining to raise funds for Cruz Roja Chapala and introduce new chef Tristan Trobaugh. The back-to-back benefit dinners, co-hosted by SuperLake’s Pancho Montes, are scheduled for Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 6 p.m. both dates.
The four-course menu includes a starter of roasted red pepper crostini with mozzarella and fresh basil; green salad with raspberry vinaigrette; a main dish choice of grilled bone-in pork chop, parmesan-crusted chicken breast or pasta pomodoro with roasted cauliflower; and pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream for dessert.
El BarCo is located on the highway, just west of the Ajijic Pemex station. For reservations call 766-0452, 33-1485-9048 or 33-3496-1117 (cell).
Singing circle
A song circle & potluck will be held at the home of Catherine and Eric Luria, October 30, 3:30 p.m. The group will choose songs from a list of popular, well-known songs from “Rise Up Singing” – mostly songs of the 1960s and sing for about an hour and half, then enjoy the potluck. Each person chooses a song from the list, or may pass. To find get the address, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 766-6119.
Graveyard tours
If you’re curious about the customs associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead observances, bilingual guide Viviane Michel will fill you in during walkabouts through the Ajijic cemetery scheduled Wednesday, November 2. Her presentation is modeled after the famed Dia de Muertos celebration in Patzcuaro, Michoacan.
Tours start from the Panteón entrance on the highway at 3:30 and 5 p.m. A donation of 100 pesos per person paid at the gate goes into a fund to purchase boxes of pantry supplies that will be distributed to families of Chapala police officers at Christmas, coordinated by Harry Bublin. For more information, call 766-4282.
Ixtlahuacán Festival
Folks who are already familiar with traditional Day of the Dead happenings at lakeside might want to venture over the hill for new perspectives at this year’s November 2 holiday festival in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos.
To drum up excitement, the town government is offering big cash prizes for competitions in mounting Altares de Muertos (memorial offering displays), living impersonations of La Catrina (Lady Death character), creating gravesite coronas (memorial wreathes), and penning calaveras (humorous poems referring to the death of well-known public figures).
A purse of 250,400 pesos will be split up among winners. Complete contest rules are posted at www.imembrillos.gob.mx. Look for program details on the Reporter’s pages later this month.
Golf Classic
The 13th Annual Cruz Roja Golf Classic will be held at the Country Club de Chapala Thursday, November 3.
All of the proceeds from this long-running event will stay in Chapala and be used for the refurbishment of the Red Cross ambulances.
Only a few places remaining for golfers. Singles, pairs and foursomes are welcome. Entry deadline: Monday, October 31.
Not a golfer? Then show your support and join in the almost-famous Country Club barbeque after play. Entries for the tournament (1,500 pesos) and dinner-only tickets (300 pesos) may be purchased at the pro shop or Estetica Yoly’s in Plaza Bugambilias. For more information, call Don at 766-4990.
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Operacion Amor holds a spay/neuter clinic Friday, November 4 to Saturday, November 6 in Chapala for dogs and cats of people of limited means.
The group is pleading for volunteers to step up for this event. To have a great time and help this rewarding program, contact Cameron Peters, 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..
Charity grant program
The Lakeside Charity Grant has been announced by the Foundation for Lake Chapala Charities. The organization’s grant program host fundraisers and sets aside all proceeds to support community projects or equipment.
The Lakeside Charity Grant’s first fundraiser is a starlit paella at Hotel Montecarlo in Chapala, November 10. For more information on the group, contact Margy Kassier, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., tel. 766-4337.