Eradicating Polio
At its seventh annual End Polio dinner October 28, the Rotary Club of Ajijic raised 109,000 pesos for the Rotary Foundation’s End Polio program.
All funds raised are matched three for one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Ajijic, visit www.rotaryajijic.org.
Book signing
A book signing and art exhibition to celebrate the launch of “Mexican Kaleidoscope: myths, mysteries and mystique” will be held at the Centro Cultural Ajijic, Friday, December 2, 5 -6:30 p.m. Published by Sombrero Books, the text is by Tony Burton and illustrations by Enrique Velázquez. Wine and light refreshments will be served.
San Antonio Expats
The next monthly meeting of San Antonio Tlayacapan Expats takes place at Cenaduria Elvira (blue doors across from Mario’s Restaurant) on Saturday, November 26, 6 p.m. Manna, Tony and Annie will share details of interesting local businesses they have discovered.
There will be an update on the webpage and efforts to get better internet access in San Antonio.
The next meeting will be December 17, a week early due to the holidays. For more information, see sanantonioexpats.weebly.com or 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..
Open Circle
Roy Nolan presents “Live Your Dream and Have Fun Doing It” at Open Circle on Sunday, November 27, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
Nolan will tell us how to find a need and fill it, how to live the dream, and how to have fun at the same time we help make this a better world.
Nolan is a professional film/video producer, currently living his dream and doing his best to help make a better world. He began his filmmaking career over 60 years ago at the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal where he learned how to make documentary films. In 1963 he migrated to San Francisco, California, and spent most of the next 40 years working on documentaries for education, TV and industry, as well as his own independent productions. During those years he traveled extensively, and in 2006 he moved to the Lake Chapala area. Since then Nolan has created many videos about this area. Some can be seen on his website.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum will meet Monday, November 28, 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar (diagonally across the street from Mom´s Deli). The topic for this month will be Family Search research strategies. The speaker will be Pam Ames. This will be a continuation of the talk she gave several months ago. She will present new material and techniques for using this free site. Family Search.org is the only complete genealogy search site that does not charge a subscription fee and which can be used on your personal computer at home. For more information, contact Fran Murphy, 766-0067.
Ajijic Book Club
The Ajijic Book Club (ABC) will meet Tuesday, November 29, 4 p.m. at La Mision, Rio Bravo 7 in West Ajijic. The focus of the November meeting will be “Riding off the Edge of the Map” by David Bryen, a story of his motorcycle trip to Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Reviews of the book are available on the ABC website. Everyone with an interest in this book or in ABC is welcome.
The Ajijic Book Club focuses exclusively on nonfiction books and promotes civil discussion amongst its members even when ideas conflict. ABC provides both online and in-person opportunities for participation by members. More information about ABC is available at http://computerguyajijic.com/abc/FAQ.pdf.
LCS seminar
LCS members are invited to attend the November 29 TED seminar. This seminar, facilitated by Fred Harland and held from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS sala, features Andrew Solomon: “Love, no matter what.”
What is it like to raise a child who’s different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)? In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents — asking them: What’s the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance?
Neill James Lecture
Anesthetist Tim Cooper will speak on “Anesthesia: what you always wanted to know” Tuesday, November 29, 2 p.m.
This talk includes a description of the components and process of anesthesia, patient preparation for a procedure, monitoring, risks and complications, the post anesthesia period and finally a take home message.
Dr. Cooper is a British-born physician who undertook his initial training and work experience in the United Kingdom. Emigrating to Canada in 1972, he specialized in anesthesia, with residency at Dalhousie University and a Fellowship in Pain Management at McGill University. Following this, he worked in Maritime Canada as a Specialist Anesthetist with a subspecialty interest in Chronic Pain Management. In 1991 he was invited to Saudi Arabia, where his U.S. Boards helped him establish an American-based practice. Later, he established the American Hospital in Dubai as a leading Healthcare Institution operating under the auspices of the U.S. Joint Commission (JCAHO). During this time, he was invited to Beijing to design and develop the first Private Hospital in China. He retired to Lakeside in 2012.
World AIDS Day
Area residents are invited to meet at the amphitheater on the Ajijic Malecon Thursday, December 1, 5:30 p.m. for the third commemoration of World AIDS Day. This date was established in London in 1988 by the World Health Organization and it is observed worldwide.
The event is sponsored by Ajijic Cares and its support organization VIHAS de VIDA, which conducts safe sex seminars in Lakeside schools.
More than 34 million people worldwide and 30,000 people in Jalisco live with HIV. Only half this number know that they are infected.
Golf tourney
The Chula Vista Country Club will host the first annual Copa Chapala de Golf 2016, Saturday, December 3.
Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for teams of four with an a go-go format. Prizes include an Alesso Club Car golf cart for a hole-in-one and prizes to be determined for the O’Yes Closest to the Pin on holes 3/12 and 8/17, as well as for first, second and third place.
Cost to enter is 1,250 pesos and includes a snack on the course, the awards luncheon beginning 3 p.m., sponsor gifts, the raffle of a dinner at a local restaurant, tequila throughout the day.
Other prizes will also be part of the event which benefits the Chapala Family Development Agency (DIF).
To register call Rafael Gonzalez at the clubhouse, 766-1525 or 766-5189, or Juan Macias, cel. (331) 802-6806.
Lakeside British Society
The next Lakeside British Society lunch is Saturday, December 3, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant. To get in the mood for the holiday season, traditional English Christmas carols will be led by talented professional singer Olga Kaplounenko.
The menu is a small salad, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and cranberry sauce with gravy or chowder or golden glazed carrot, mushroom and nut tart or a large salad. Dessert is chocolate mousse. The cost is 135 pesos (not including tip). Manix is at Ocampo 57 in Ajijic, and has parking available on an adjacent lot.
It is very important to call Arleen at 766-1742 or contact Sue Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 766-0847 if you plan to attend and give your choice of menu. All visitors are welcome.
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 30, the meditation period will be followed by a video teaching by Sharon Salzberg on “Doubt,” one of the obstacles that arise in our meditation practice – and in our lives – that throw us into confusion.
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.
“Paths of the Soul,” A New York Times Critics’ Pick by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yang, the second of two monthly “Monday Dharma Movie Matinees,” will be shown November 28, 3 p.m.
Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4, Heart of Awareness is offering a retreat featuring 14 hours of video teachings by Pema Chodron. Details and registration information can be found at heartofawareness.org or by email 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.. There will be no “First Sunday Long Sit” on December 4 due to the retreat schedule.
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. (No class December 3.)
The sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (331) 043-4669.
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.
LCS bus trip
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.
Auction fashion show
The School for Special Children is holding an auction/fashion show, Thursday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Las Caballerizas Coxala located in the Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala. A silent auction will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; lunch is served at noon; the fashion show will be on from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Tickets, 300 pesos, are on sale at Diane Pearl, Casi Nuevo and Mia’s Boutique.
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 gingerbread 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.
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.
However, 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.