Red Cross Solidarity Race
Cruz Roja Chapala invites everyone who enjoys exercising on foot for health and pleasure to join the Solidarity Race scheduled for Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m.
The two-pronged sporting event includes a three-kilometer recreational component for participants who choose to walk, jog or run, plus the five-kilometer running race with competitive divisions for men and women. Both will start just outside the Red Cross Clinic on Avenida González Gallo, to head west on Paseo Ramón Corona and double back along the waterfront welcome.
Registrations are open until Friday, March 24 at the Cruz Roja office, Chapala’s Comude Sport Commission at the gym on Avenida Madero next to the municipal soccer field and Family Fitness Center, Plaza Bugambilias, Ajijic. All proceeds from the 50-peso sign-up fee go into the Cruz Roja kitty.
Writers' confab
Delegates gather for a photo call at the 12th annual Lake Chapala Writers’ Conference, held March 15-17 at Ajijic’s Danza del Sol Hotel. Topping the bill of guest speakers was top Hollywood agent Ken Sherman, who helps aspiring and established authors get their work seen by book publishers, movie makers and TV networks. Other big names participating in the conference were bestselling mystery author Rachel McMillen, historian Michael Hogan (author of “Abraham Lincoln in Mexico” and other titles), New York City editor Sandi Gelles-Cole (author of “The Memoir of Marilyn Monroe”), social media guru and prolific author Judith Briles, and publisher Mikel Miller.
Chip in for Cruz Roja
Staff and volunteers at Cruz Roja Chapala will be out and about over the coming weeks asking folks to dig into their pockets and wallets for the 2017 Colecta fund-raising drive, running through May 21. Authorized cash collectors stationed at major intersections can be recognized by their uniforms or tee-shirts, and the distinctive white plastic donation boxes with the Red Cross insignia. Operating under the motto “Thank you for Keep Helping Save Lives,” the goal for this year’s campaign is to pull in 500,000 pesos to sustain the emergency health care and rescue services the institution provides to residents and visitors throughout the lakeshore region.
Open Circle
Sunday, March 26, Mitchell Perey will give a talk on “Drug-Free Pain Management” at the Open Circle in the Lake Chapala Society (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.
Perey will deliver an entertaining and possibly life-changing talk on pain relief and healing without drugs, drawing on his success with personal pain issues and client experiences. He will also discuss ways to overcome undesirable habits. Following ancient and modern practices of guided visualization, Perey has been helping people learn to work together with their “Inner MD” to potentiate healing, reduce pain and improve their lives.
Since being credentialed in 1989 as a clinical hypnotherapist in California by the American Council of Hypnotist examiners, Mitchell has served for three years as president of the International Association of Counselors and Therapists and has maintained an educational and therapeutic practice in California and at Lakeside. He has lived here permanently since 2009.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum will meet Monday, March 27, 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar. The topic will be “Breaking Down Brick Walls.” Marci Bowman, Ruth Reno and Linda Youcha will each talk about how they found the magic key that enabled them find an elusive ancestor. The Genealogy Forum is open to everyone and welcomes beginners and the generally curious. The Family History Center at the Mormon church is available to the public Wednesdays and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon. There are no membership requirements, and there are always volunteers available to help you discover your family history.
For more information call Fran Murphy, (376)766-0067
LCS seminar
Host Reba Mayo features human geographer Danny Dorling’s TED Talk, “Maps That Show Us Who We Are, Not Just Where We Are,” on Tuesday, March 28, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Our concept of the earth has changed dramatically over the past few decades as gradual, incremental changes were replaced by rapid tumultuous alterations. Dorling graphically reshapes the world in startling images based on data such as population density, energy use, water resources, weather patterns and food crops. The good news is that many of our concerns are being changed for the better. (LCS members only, bring your card.)
Neill James Lecture
Sandy Britton will give a presentation entitled “It’s All in Your Head” at the next Neill James Lecture, Tuesday, March 28, 2 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
The human brain, the most amazing and complex thing in our known universe, constructs our reality and gives us our identity, yet we are only beginning to understand how it works. New research is yielding ever more fascinating and useful information. In this exploratory tour, discover how your brain helps you survive, how it can deceive you, and how to keep it in good working condition.
Britton’s background is in software development, but she’s always had a fascination with the computer between our ears. In this talk, she combines her love of cognitive science and public speaking. (LCS members only, bring your card.)
LCS Bus Trip
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a bus trip to Guadalajara’s Costco/Mega and The Home Depot, Wednesday, March 29. Cost is 350 pesos for members and 450 pesos for non-members. Meet at the sculpture in La Floresta. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m.
Pet fixing fiesta
Support the good work of Chapala’s Operacion Amor spay and neuter program by attending the fund-raiser fiesta set for Wednesday, March 29, 4 to 6 p.m., at Rio Yaqui 4, Villa Nova. The event will feature the Lake Chapala Chorale with a small sampling of its upbeat repertoire.
A 200-peso donation paid at the door includes the gift of a tee-shirt commemorating the group’s record of close to 2,500 pet sterilizations provided free of charge to local Mexican families. Guests will also enjoy complimentary botanas and drinks from the cash bar.
LCS Wine Tasting
The Lake Chapala Society invites everyone to its second annual wine tasting event, Saturday April 1, 3-6 p.m. Tickets: general admission 150 pesos, and 100 pesos for LCS members. Available at LCS office only. No discounts on the day of the event.
This year, the tastings are unlimited, featuring wineries from Italy, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, and the United States, with over 30 varieties of wines on display. Wines will be available for purchase by the bottle or specially discounted cases. Cheeses and appetizers will be available free of charge, accompanied by the soft sounds of Victor Garcia from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Fools Wanted
The Tepehua Community Center’s annual Fools Wanted “Fun-raiser” is held Saturday, April 1, 2-5 p.m. at the Sunrise Restaurant in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Show up in costume and get a free drink. 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. A few tickets are still left and 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..
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, April 1, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57, Ajijic. This month expect a surprise after the luncheon.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or leek and minestrone soup, choice of steak pie with chips and gravy, bream filet with sauce, rice and vegetables, pasta primavera in butter sauce or a large salad. Dessert is berries with ice cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip. Call Arleen at 766-1742 or contact Sue Sterlini at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and choice of menu. All visitors welcome.
Buddhists
The Sangha’s regular meditation and teaching session is on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m., and the formal program goes from 4 to 6 p.m. and includes sitting and walking meditation.
Hour-long silent meditation periods, including sitting and walking meditation, are offered Sundays and Mondays from 9 to10 a.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
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, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (331) 043-4669.
2017 Chapala Directory
The 2017 Chapala Directory, Lakeside’s annual phone directory and area guide in English, along with the most recent edition of the Streetsmart map guide, are now available in hard copy at Diane Pearl, Colon 1 in Ajijc, at Wise Dog Books across from the Ajijic plaza, and in limited supply at additional advertisers.
The number of pages of both books continues to climb, something publisher ImagenMx hopes is a sign of economic growth in the area.
Winners’ circle
A reminder that the 2016 People’s Choice Award first-place winners can pick up their certificate at the Guadalajara Reporter office on the first floor of Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic. A complete list of winners can be viewed at www.BestofLakeChapala.com.
To claim their digital emblem, winners should 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.. Two versions of the emblem will be attached and sent in reply: a high resolution file for print reproduction, and a low-resolution file for web publicity.