Revolution Day
Ajijic marks the Revolution Day holiday on its original date, Sunday, November 20, with a traditional parade running east to west on Calle Constitución-Ocampo to Seis Esquinas, returning to the plaza via Hidalo. Look for local school kids performing lively athletic routines and marching or riding floats dressed up in costumes of the era.
Water Ski Championships
The final match ups at the 2016 Pan American Water Ski Championships are on this weekend (Friday through Sunday) at Boca Laguna ski club. Admission for the public is 100 pesos for adults, 50 pesos for children. From 8 a.m. daily until done (around 4-5 p.m.). Boca Laguna is located at kilometer 4.5 on the Chapala-Mezcala highway, just past the turn-off to Santa Cruz de la Soledad.
Open Circle
Kelly Hayes-Raitt presents “Vietnam, Agent Orange, China, TPP, and Mongolia’s Emerging Democracy” at Open Circle on Sunday, November 20, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
“Are you a man needs parts?” Hayes-Raitt was asked by a young Chinese woman in Ya’an, a village of 1.5 million in western China. After some time, she responded, “Yes, I’m American!” to enthusiastic upturned thumbs. During five months of traveling through Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, Hayes-Raitt was warmly welcomed as an American visitor.
She will focus her talk on Mongolia, one of the world’s newest democracies. As “China’s hat and Russia’s underpants,” Mongolia is geographically critical to western interests, and western money is critical to Mongolia. This emerging democracy is plunging into capitalism after decades of communism. Modern Mongolia is about much more than camels and dinosaur bones!
Hayes-Raitt is a citizen journalist and writer who spent two weeks this summer with a delegation in Mongolia. She posted prolifically on Facebook. “Friend” her to check out her videos and photos.
For more information see opencircleajijic.org.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members are invited to attend the Tuesday, November 22 TED seminar, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS sala. This seminar, facilitated by Pete Soderman, features paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara: Hunting for dinosaurs showed me our place in the universe.
What happens when you discover a dinosaur? Lacovara details his unearthing of Dreadnoughtus – a 77-million-year-old sauropod that was as tall as a two-story house and as heavy as a jumbo jet – and considers how amazingly improbable it is that a tiny mammal living in the cracks of the dinosaur world could evolve into a sentient being capable of understanding these magnificent creatures. Join him in a celebration of the Earth’s geological history and contemplate our place in deep time.
Neill James Lecture
John Milton discusses “Can we Trust Scientific Studies?” at the next Neil James Lecture, Tuesday, November 22, 2 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Milton holds degrees in biochemistry, literary studies, education and computational linguistics. He taught high school science and literature in Canada before going to Wuhan, China in 1981, where he taught critical theory. He later taught ESL and English literature and worked in academic administration in the Middle East (Bahrain). He returned to China in 1991 to help found a new university in Hong Kong (HKUST), where he also developed educational technology and courses in critical reasoning and communication for engineers. He (sort of) retired to lakeside in 2012.
In this session, Milton will discuss what has led to lack of trust in science and scientific studies. While scientists generally are well respected, their findings are often not. A report last year by the Pew Research Center found wide gaps between what the public believes, and what scientists believe. You can probably guess which ones. Milton will summarize some of the issues.
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. On November 23, 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 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 am.
The sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (331) 043-4669.
Culinary Arts
Members presented a variety of poultry and sweet pumpkin desserts at the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) November meeting.
Judith Greenberg won first place and people’s choice awards for her chicken Marbella. Marina Benz won second place for The Last Supper Spicy Chicken and Roberta Kalan won third spot for her Hanian Bar-B-Qued chicken wings with coleslaw. On the sweet side, Martha Camacho took first place for her Otoño Rustico parfaits, Laure Hilden won second for pumpkin bread pudding with a whisky praline glaze and Carol Westbrook came in third for her pumpkin bread with spicy caramel apple sauce. People’s choice was for Sally Meyer’s Jack Daniel’s pumpkin bread pudding.
CASA’s next meeting is December 12, 3:30 p.m. at La Mision Restaurant. Categories are botanas/appetizers and holiday desserts. A hot meal will be available at this meeting for an additional 200 pesos. To register, 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..
LCS bus trips
On Friday, November 25, the Lake Chapala Society motors to the crafts centers of Tonala and Tlaquepaque. Shop in Tonala for home decor and handicrafts, while in Tlaquepaque find upscale retailers and fine dining in an historical architecturally significant, pedestrian-only zone.
Cost is 300 pesos for LCS members and 350 pesos for non-members. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Wednesday, December 7, LCS heads out to Guadalajara’s plush Andares Mall with its upscale shopping and dining choices. Cost is 300 pesos for members and 350 pesos for non-members. The bus departs promptly at 10 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
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.
World Aids Day
Ajijic Cares will hold a recognition of World Aids Day Thursday, December 1, 5:30 p.m. at the amphitheater on the Ajijic malecon.
Ajijic Cares works to bring greater awareness of HIV/AIDS to the Lakeside community. For more information, see facebook/AjijicCares.
Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society offers introduction to Spanish language classes for LCS members starting the first Tuesday of each month and continuing for three weeks. December classes start December 6 and will be held at the LCS campus from noon until 1:30 p.m. Learning materials are provided. Sign up is available at the LCS office Monday through Saturday. Or signup is easy and quick at lakechapalasociety.com. LCS is located at 16-A, 16 de Septiembre. Ajijic. Office: (376) 766-1140.
Rotary auction/brunch
The Ajijic Rotary Club will hold a Christmas auction/brunch Tuesday, December 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala to benefit the club’s student scholarships. A silent and live auction on over 140 items will be held while those attending feast on quiche, fresh fruit, potatoes and ginger bread Christmas cookies. Donation is 100 pesos. Entertainment is by Santa and the San Juan Cosala Children’s Choir. Tickets available at Mia’s Boutique, Diane Pearl and Terry King Tianguis in Chapala.
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.
Water program
Water is one of our most necessary commodities and yet its availability is often taken for granted. Introducing us to discovering the spiritual qualities in the movement of water, this January 6 (Epiphany) weekend workshop entitled Water’s Own Voice will take place at Flora Exotica (corner of Carretera and Libramiento, Ajijic) and will be led by Jennifer Greene, founder and 40-year director of the Water Research Institute, Blue Hill, Maine.
Highlights include a slide lecture presenting the scientific research, an all-day participatory demonstration of experiments revealing water’s natural tendencies to move and change its environment. And continuing revelations of water’s miracles. For more information, 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..
Home tours
The Behind the Walls home tours of some of Lakeside’s most gorgeous residences that benefit the School for Special Children have sold out their Christmas home tour. But tickets for the once-a-month winter and spring tours are still on sale at Diane Pearl or Charter Club Tours for only 200 pesos.