Pet Party
Rescue Chapala Lucky Dog will hold an open house Sunday, March 12, noon to 4 p.m.
Grilled hamburgers, margaritas and cold beer are on the menu. A raffle, drawings and a bazaar will help raise funds to keep these dogs in top shape until they can find a happy home.
Lucky Dog is located two kilometers east of Chapala’s Cristiania Park on the highway to Mezcala on the lake side of the road. For more information, see luckydogmx.weebly.com or call (331) 300-7144.
Thanks
Gracias! Just before curtain time at the January 24 Naked Stage performance of “Clever Little Lies,” Cruz Roja Chapala representative Victor Benítez (second from left) presented a certificate of appreciation to Clay McAdams (second from right). The readers’ theater group recently turned over a generous 30,000-peso donation to the local Red Cross netted from its admission proceeds.
Open Circle
Sunday, March 12, Otto Baruch Rand will present “Faith vs. Reason” at the Open Circle in the LCS Sala, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Arrive at 10 a.m. for complimentary beverages and social time. The Open Circle Steering Committee asks that attendees leave family pets at home.
Rand argues that faith and reason can harmoniously coexist; they are not mutually exclusive. He examines the four major scientific challenges to religion and shows that all are met without discrediting either faith or science. His analysis involves declarations of the church and pronouncements of famous scientists.
Rand was born in Slovakia 84 years ago. His childhood was spent hiding from the Nazis. After the war, he immigrated to Israel, where he obtained a degree in History from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Later he obtained his MA in History of Religions from the University of Toronto, where he also completed his MeD. Rand taught the History of Religions evenings at the University of Toronto. In retirement in Ajijic, he frequently lectures and offers classes in the Bible and History of Religions.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
A double feature is planned for the next meeting of the Lake Chapala chapter of Democrats Abroad, Monday, March 13, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Restaurant, 16 de Septiembre 124 in Ajijic.
Elections will be held for the local chapter first. Nominations are still open and will be accepted from the floor or by emailing the Nominations Committee: larry.pihl@gmail.
Presently nominated are Jim Spowart for Chair, Ilona deBorghegyi for vice chair, Sheryll Soderdahl for secretary, Graciela Estrada for treasurer, Henri Loridans for parliamentarian and Matt Sullins, Patricia Highland, Tim Whiting and Sandra Loridans for members at large. Each candidate will be given a minute to introduce themselves before the election.
In addition, there are several positions open to support volunteer coordination, get-out-the-vote, print media, social media, webpage editing, monthly program development, membership, fundraising and special events.
After the election, Don Aitken will present information on “Impacts of Trump’s Energy and Environmental Policies … What you can do about it, both here and in the U.S.”
Bring a pen and get a chance to write more postcards to your legislators.
Present chapter President Larry Pihl will be running for office of DA Mexico Chair at the country Annual General Meeting in Mexico City on April 1.
Nominations for national offices close on March 15 by submitting names to the Nominating Committee 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.. Votes will be both by email and at the meeting.
Neill James Lecture
Fred Harland will give a presentation entitled “What Does it Mean to be Human?” at the next Neill James Lecture, Tuesday, March 14, 2 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Technological expertise is on the brink of reshaping the human world more dramatically than ever before. Current scientific developments and expectations in the fields of genetics, artificial intelligence and neuroscience are raising unprecedented ethical and theological questions.
Harland worked in adult education and international project development for 30 years in Canada and overseas. Active in both LCS and the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (as president), he also coordinates the LCS Learning Seminars (TED Talks). He holds an MA in Political Science.
LCS seminar
LCS members are invited to attend the TED seminar featuring Dave Isay: “Everyone Around You Has a Story the World Needs to Hear.”
Isay opened the first StoryCorps booth in New York’s Grand Central Terminal in 2003 with the intention of creating a quiet place where a person could honor someone who mattered to them by listening to their story. Since then, StoryCorps has evolved into the single largest collection of human voices ever recorded. His TED Prize wish: to grow this digital archive of the collective wisdom of humanity. Hear his vision to take StoryCorps global – and how you can be a part of it by interviewing someone with the StoryCorps app. Fred Harland hosts the seminar.
Shriners’ Ribfest
The 11th annual Shriners’ Ribfest is Wednesday, March 15, 1-5 p.m. at Cumbres Jardin Eventos, located at the top of Chula Vista Norte.
For those who don’t wish to drive, shuttle buses will take patrons to and from Black Coffee on the corner of the Libramiento. Adelita’s will serve BBQ ribs and chicken with all the trimmings. Two cash bars will be running and the Ajijic Jamm Band will keep the party rocking. Tickets, 400 pesos, are available from Diane Pearl, O&A Investments or by calling David Eccles, 331-017-1724, or 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..
Freethinkers
The March 15 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers will be a discussion of evolution, emphasizing human evolution.
They group meets at 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..
LCS Bus Trip
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a bus trip to the Guadalajara Zoo on Thursday, March 16. This excursion includes bus transportation, a train ride, the safari park and an aquatic show. Cable car rides are an additional 34 pesos. Although food and drink will be available at the zoo, it is suggested that participants bring bottled water and a light lunch. Cost is 440 pesos for members and 540 pesos for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the LCS service desk. Meet at the sculpture in La Floresta. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m.
Blood talks
Dr. Samuel Thelin presents “Is Your Blood Trying to Tell You Something?” at a forum sponsored by Blue Angel Solutions Thursday March 16, 10-11:45 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church, San Jorge 250, Riberas del Pilar.
Thelin will present a diagnostic tool known as tumor markers or cancer antigens, that is simple, fast, reliable and economical. He will explain how this method of diagnosis is key to early detection that could be a lifesaver. To register, call 766-0547 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.. The 100-peso entry fee will be donated to the Tepehua Medical Center in Chapala.
Wild Side
Niños Incapacitados, a group that supports sick children of low-income Lakeside area Mexican families, invites you to join them in a Walk on the Wild Side Gala Thursday, March 16, 5-10:30 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. The 550-peso ticket price includes dinner, dancing to Black Swan with Diamonds and live and silent auctions. This elegant affair is a major fundraiser for this important charity.
For tickets contact Sue Williams, 766-0487, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or order your tickets online at www.programaninos.com/2017-walk-on-the-wild-side-gala.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha offers meditation opportunities several times each week. Sunday the Center is open 9 a.m. to noon for three rounds of sitting and walking meditation. There is an hour-long silent meditation each week on Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
The Sangha’s regular meditation and teaching session is on Wednesdays, when the center is open from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The sangha’s location is Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, see www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (331) 043-4669.
Jaltepec fundraiser
The Jaltepec Education Center in Hotel and Hospitality Management for young women will prepare and serve a fundraiser dinner at their school, Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m.
Jaltepec students will prepare and serve hors d’oeuvres during a no-host cocktail hour while Timothy G. Ruff Welch entertains on piano. A three-course dinner will be served from 7:30 p.m. Donations are 450 pesos per person.
Contact Linda Buckthorp at 766-1631 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for enquiries.
April Fools
Once again, the Tepehua Community Center is holding its hilarious annual Fools Wanted fundraiser Saturday, April 1, 2-5 p.m. at the Sunrise Restaurant in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Show up in costume and get a fee drink and maybe win the Best Dressed Fool contest. A riddle contest and music by a DJ will keep the party rolling. A lunch choice of either Mexican or Western food costs 250 pesos with all the proceeds going to fund the community center, which is situated in one of Chapala’s poorest neighborhoods. The center offers a multitude of services, including nutrition and substance abuse counseling and child care services, a maternal health clinic with medical screening, referral and treatment services. Tickets are available at Sunrise Restaurant, Tepehua Treasures and Diane Pearl, or contact Harvey Bernier, 765-7027, 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..