Military Ball
The 904 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association will host this year’s gala Military Ball on Saturday, January 14 at the Real de Chapala Hotel.
The event was originally conceived and organized by the Shrine Legion of Honor and now includes all of Lakeside’s military groups: the Shrine Legion of Honor, the 904 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association, the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 1 Chapala, the American Legion Post 7 and Post 9 and the Navy League.
All military veterans and supporters of the Lakeside military groups are welcome. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information and tickets. The deadline for ticket purchase is January 10.
Open Circle
Neil McKinnon will give a presentation on “Yoshida’s Sword” at Open Circle Sunday, January 15, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
In 1859 a Japanese samurai named Yoshida Shoin was beheaded by the ruling Shogun. Before his execution, he gave his sword to his pupil, Ito Hirobumi. Ito eventually became Japan’s first Prime Minister. He used Yoshida’s sword to pay off a brothel debt. The brothel owner bequeathed the sword to his son who secretly sent it to Canada. It was found and returned to Japan in 1988 and now resides in a shrine where 1.5 million visitors annually come to pay their respects to Yoshida’s spirit. While researching this story, McKinnon turned up a number of coincidences, some right here in Ajijic.
McKinnon lived in Japan for six years. He has been published in the United States and Canada, and his book “Tuckahoe Slidebottle” was short-listed for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and the Alberta Award for Short Fiction. His novel, “The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday,” was published last year. He has taught university in Canada and Japan.
For more information see www.opencircleajijic.org.
Regenerative medicine
Regenerix will give an informative talk about regenerative medicine and antioxidents at the Lake Chapala Society, Monday, January 16, 2-4 p.m.
Topics at the free event will include an immunotherapy program for fighting cancer and chronic diseases; tactics for anti-aging and the use of vitamin B-17/vitamin C. Also covered will be EDTA chelation therapy, and cellular nutrition, ozone therapy, plasma, carboxy therapy and intralipotherapy.
Democrats Abroad
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico will explore “What does it mean to be a Dreamer?” with Dr. Jill Anderson of Mexico City, together with several local “Dreamers,” Monday, January 16, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Restaurant, 16 de Septiembre 124 in Ajijic. Learn about the benefits these immigrants who came to the United States as children bring to the country and their many challenges going forward.
LCS seminar
LCS members are invited to attend a TED seminar, Tuesday, January 17, noon to 1:15 p.m. This seminar, hosted by Gary Thompson, features Canadian doctor Samantha Nutt speaking on “The World Arms Trade.”
Dr. Nutt works with aid groups in the third world. She finds it is easier to get a gun than to find clean drinking water in some poor nations which are plagued by localized warfare. The arms come from the wealthy nations who make all the profit, and go to the poor countries who pay all the human cost.
Neill James Lecture
Dr. Walt Manning will present “The Internet of Things: technology risks when everything is connected,” at the Neill James Lecture Tuesday, January 17, 2 p.m.
“Smart” devices in the home and office, industrial sensors to monitor and control automated systems, connected vehicles, medical devices, fitness trackers, security systems and cameras are increasingly capable of communicating wirelessly with their Internet-based hosts as well as with each other. They may also be constantly monitoring audio, video and other data to document everything you say or do. This technology is already creating security and privacy risks, and will transform global crime in ways you can’t imagine.
Manning is an investigations futurist and an Ajijic resident of six years. He has over 35 years of experience in the fields of criminal justice, investigations, digital forensics, and e-discovery. He is an internationally-recognized speaker and has been published in many magazines and professional journals.
Lakeside Freethinkers
The Wednesday, January 18 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers will be a discussion on which kinds of topics the group will cover in 2017.
The group meets 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 is 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..
Stand Together march
The Lakeside Progressives for Action (LPA) want you to know that the rally and march is happening! (See story page one.) Great speakers are polishing their speeches. The sound system and operator are ready. Signs are being made. Join the march Saturday, January 21, 2 p.m. at the Ajijic Plaza.
Chairs rented so you can enjoy the program before the march. The LPA asks for a donation to help cover the costs of the rally and march. See www.crowdrise.com/stand-toge…/…/lakesideprogressives.
Buddhists
Registration is now open (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a retreat with senior dharma teacher DaeJa Napier, offered at The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sanga in Ajijic January 27-29. DaeJa will be “in residence” in Ajijic the last week in January, providing this special opportunity to experience her teachings. Visit www.heartofawareness.org for details on the retreat and the schedule for that week.
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha meets weekly on Wednesdays. The center opens at 3:30 p.m. for silent meditation. The 30-minute formal meditation period begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, meditation will be followed with a video teaching by Gil Fronsdal from a series titled “Generosity: the revolutionary foundation for Buddhist practice.”
The Center is open for hour-long silent meditation from 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 Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. A donation of 50 pesos is requested for the class.
The Heart of Awareness is grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. The sangha’s location is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For more information see www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (331) 043-4669.
LCS Bus Trip
The LCS hosts a bus trip to Guadalajara’s Galerias Mall Thursday, January 19. Major retailers include Best Buy, Sears, Home Store, Costco, Sams, Super Walmart and restaurants Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang, among others. The cost is 320 pesos for members and 370 pesos for non-members. Meet at the sculpture in La Floresta, where bus departs promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Scots unite!
The annual Rabbie Burns supper – a yearly celebration of the Bard to benefit Niños Incapacitados – will be held Wednesday, January 25, 5 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. Included are dancing, bagpipes, tributes and toasts, a traditional dinner including Haggis, singing and a wee dram of Scotch. Tickets, 400 pesos, are available through Mary Steele, 765-3226, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via programaninos.com.
Mexican Fiesta
The Chapala chapter of the Guadalajara Camera de Comercio (Chamber of Commerce) will hold a party night with live mariachi, and an all-you-can eat and drink Mexican taquiza with tequila, margaritas and beer, Saturday, January 28, 5-9 p.m. at the Old Train Station (Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo) in Chapala. Tickets, 350 pesos (part of which goes to the Cruz Roja), are available at the Camera office, Yoli’s, Diane Pearl, Ishop or by calling 766-2784.
Chili Cook-off
For the 39th year the Chili Cook-off returns to Ajijic at Tobolandia Water Park February 10-12. This year a new expanded parade is scheduled. This three-day fiesta is Lakeside’s largest charity event.
To enter any of the competitions, go to www.mexicannationalchilicookoff.com. For booth space call Jorge at 331-279-1721. To participate in the parade call Hector, 331-065-0725.