Post-election meditation
The Lakeside community will be welcome at a gathering to meditate for hope in this post-election period in the gazebo at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), Saturday November 12, 2 p.m.
There will be a time for some silent meditation and reflection followed by an invitation for individuals to briefly share a few words expressing thoughts and feelings intended to help people to heal from the negativity and disappointments of the recent presidential election in the United States. This dialogue will be facilitated by Barbara Hildt according to the Norms of Mutual Respect used in Everyday Mindfulness sessions at LCS.
Golf tourney
The winning team of the 13th annual Golf Classic to benefit the Chapala Red Cross, held November 3 at the Chapala Country Clu, were, left to right, Bob Walton, Joel Phair, Janis Phair and Rob Edwards. Proceeds this year will be used to service the Chapala Red Cross ambulance engines and re-equip the interiors.
Open Circle
John Wells presents “The Allure of Gold — A History of Gold, How We Find It, Mine It, Produce and Use It” at Open Circle on Sunday, November 13, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
Wells will cover the history of gold production, including in ancient civilizations, such as the Aztecs and the Inca. He will also discuss where and how we find it, particularly in Mexico, and how we produce pure gold and silver bars from rock. He will conclude with a commentary on current social and environmental challenges.
A mining engineer, Wells worked for 40 years in the mining industry in North and South America and Africa. He continues to consult on an occasional basis from his Vernon, Canada, and Ajijic homes.
Doggies on the move
The “Ranch” is holding a “Crate Expectations” fundraiser to help send some of their dogs to new homes in Washington State.
The event takes place at the Iron Horse Saloon, Hidalgo 78 in Riberas), across from Mom’s Deli & Restaurant, on Sunday November 13, 4-7 p.m.
Tickets, at 300 pesos, include a pig roast, sides, desserts, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and music by Daniel Cordero.
Reservations can be made at 766-4738 or 376-108-1439 (afternoon only).
The Ranch needs crates and/or funds for adoption transport. Medium to large, airline-approved crates are preferred, but other types will be accepted. Donations of old towels for the crates are also welcomed.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to attend the first TED seminar of the 2016-17 season Tuesday, November 15. This seminar, facilitated by Fred Harland and held from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS sala, features public health investigator Maryn McKenna. Her topic is “What do we do when antibiotics don’t work any more?”
Penicillin changed everything. Infections that had previously killed were suddenly quickly curable. Yet as Maryn McKenna shares in this sobering web talk, we’ve squandered the advantages afforded us by that and later antibiotics. Drug-resistant bacteria mean we’re entering a post-antibiotic world — and it won’t be pretty. There are, however, things we can do ... if we start right now.
Neill James lecture
Photo-journalist Jim Cook will speak on “Las Soldaderas, the women soldiers of the Mexican Revolution,” at the Neill James lecture, November 15, 2 p.m.
Cook and his wife, Carole, moved to Ajijic in 2007. They have visited many of Mexico’s colonial cities and ancient pre-Hispanic ruins and chronicle their journeys in their blog Jim and Carole’s Mexico Adventure. Jim’s stories and photos have been published in the Living at Lake Chapala website, as well as in local Lakeside magazines. His photos have also been published in several books and will be used in an upcoming documentary on the History Channel.
Lakeside Freethinkers
A discussion of current topics will be the focus at the November 16 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers. These may include religion in government, climate change and religion, and other topics suggested by members.
The 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, emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.." style="color: #006699; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none;">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Garden Club
Top tips for gardeners will decoratively star an exclusive top table display at the next meeting of the Lake Chapala Garden Club, Wednesday November 16, noon at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic.
Members and guests will have 30 minutes to view and interview the club’s directors and contribute hands-on to the specially created mini exhibits.
The top table show will feature witty ways with fun planters and design ideas for bouquets, with tips to lengthen their life, Also, the magic of seed tapes will be revealed, plus a step into perpendicular gardening with a mini succulent display in a picture frame.
The day starts at 10.45 a.m. with a tour of Alison Pickering’s garden in Chula Vista. A club member and the best-selling author of “Beyond The Walls,” Pickering has achieved a unique triumph by successfully growing rhubarb here. Other highlights of the tour include garden art, trees grown in pots, a cactus garden, an unconventional Mexican Christmas tree on a budget, plus a special enclosure for her favorite pets.
After lunch at 12:30 p.m. – open to the public – some of the director’s displays will be raffled for the club’s designated good causes. Members and their guests are advised to respond fast to their invitation so as to avoid disappointment. Make reservations for lunch in advance on the Evita system or emailjeanmarie.harmon@gmail.For more information, see lakechapalagardenclub.org.
Home Tours
The School for Special Children begins their “Behind the Walls” monthly home tours of some of Lakeside’s most beautiful residences beginning Thursday, November 17. Pick up your tickets (200 pesos or 1,200 pesos for the season) at Diane Pearl or Charter Club Tours, and at the Ajijic Pier on the day of the tour (if there are any tickets left). Proceeds help fund the Lakeside school’s important work with special children.
Xmas cards
Children’s art holiday cards are now on sale at the Lake Chapala Society. Buy your holiday cards now in time to mail up north, exchange with local friends, or just add to your collection — there are more than 80 cards to choose from.
The community is urged to support these budding artists – a large portion of the sale of each card goes to the child artist. The kids’ share of the proceeds are a huge help to them and their families.
The cards are available for sale in the LCS office, as well as at the Feria Maestros del Arte (November 11-13 at the Chapala Yacht Club). You’ll be able to browse through the holiday card catalogue, and order your selection of cards for prompt delivery. Individual cards are also available for instant purchase.
Book launch
Author Ilsa Picazo will introduce her new book “Atrévete a ser Mujer con M mayúscula” (Dare to be a Women with capital W) at a forum on modern day women’s issues to be held Friday, November 18, 7 p.m., at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia, Chapala’s former town hall. Topics include the female role in society, self-esteem, personal health and sexuality. (In Spanish.)
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. November 16, the meditation period will be followed by a segment of a Tricycle Retreat with Sharon Salzberg, teaching on The Five Hindrances, obstacles that arise in meditation. The video will be followed by a brief presentation on retreats and events at the Heart of Awareness.
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.
The Dharma Movie Matinee “Samsara,” is Monday, November 14, 3 p.m. 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 sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (331) 043-4669.
Jaltepec dinner
Jaltepec Centro Educativo, lakeside’s only hotel and culinary school for women, will host its annual festive Christmas fund-raising dinner on Tuesday, November 29, and luncheon on Wednesday, November 30.
A no-host bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be followed by a taste of Los Cantantes del Lago’s upcoming Christmas concert under the musical direction of Timothy G. Ruff Welch. A roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a starter course and dessert, will be prepared and served by the students for the benefit of the students. Dinner tickets are 650 pesos and the luncheon event costs 550 pesos.
For more information or to make reservations, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Linda Buckthorp at 766-1631.
Toys for Tots
American Legion Post Three in Chapala joins with Los Gueros motorcycle club for the third annual Toy Run to benefit the children of Mezcala. The event will be held Saturday, December 17, beginning with a breakfast at 10 a.m. at the Legion.
Both cars and motorcycles from any clubs or single riders are welcome to join in the procession. Drop off any toy donations at Iron Horse Saloon, Just Chillin’ “Baby,” Adelidas Bar and Grill, Mama’s Bar or the Lake Chapala Society. Monetary donations can be left at Legion headquarters or Just Chillin’ before December 15. The toy run departs from the Mezcala Plaza at noon.