Education
Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club is kicking off their fall season with a dinner party and silent auction to raise funds for the Save the Future with Education (SAFE) Scholarship Fund, Saturday, September 9, 5:30 p.m.
The gala evening includes cocktails and gourmet hors d’oeuvres followed by a three-course chateaubriand dinner catered by Manix Restaurant and a selection of fine wines to complement the meal. Live jazz by Dos Juntos features Mike Leisenbach on sax and flute and vocals by Karen Procter.
You can bid on some great items including a dream week in a luxury hotel in any one of many cities around the world, custom-made wooden furniture, a Lake Chapala boat trip with lunch for six and lunch and dinner at popular lakeside eateries.
The evening’s host is Blair Ferguson at Rio Amazonas 17-B in Rancho del Oro.
Tickets, 700 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 333-142-3038 (cel).
Open Circle
Mahadevi Prem will present “Discover Ayurveda, India’s Traditional Health System” at the next meeting of at Open Circle, held in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Sala, Sunday, September 10, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Ayurveda teaches us that we are all unique and that our path toward perfect health is equally unique. Vibrant health is our natural state, the result of harmonious living. Ayurveda involves nutrition, herbs, massage, and lifestyle. And because the five senses are gateways into the body, mind and consciousness, it also involves aromas, sounds, and color. Prem will share the principles of this ancient wisdom and provide a simple guide to staying healthy and happy by adjusting our daily habits.
She has spent more than ten years learning Ayurveda and experiencing the benefits of incorporating its practice into her life in keeping with the California Ayurveda Colleges programs and her personal process with an Ayurveda medical doctor. Prem is a Thai massage therapist, Thetahealer, Moon Mother, Magdala priestess, energy healer and devotional singer. She gives individual sessions and leads ancient ceremonies, healing circles, classes and workshops.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
Democrats Abroad
Monthly general meetings of Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad will start again on Monday, September 11, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Restaurant, 16 de Septiembre, Ajijic. A social gathering with botanas begins at 3:30 p.m.
“Calling Everyone to Mid-term Action!” is the theme of this meeting. Members, new Americans at Lakeside and local Mexican-Americans, are encouraged to attend and hear more about Democrats Abroad proposals and activities underway to save U.S. social welfare programs from drastic cuts, and to improve relations with partner countries, especially Mexico. The meeting will discuss what can be done to help turn the tide and elect more Democrats in the mid-term elections of November 2018. Announcements of upcoming Chapter meetings will also be made. Those interested in following or volunteering to help with the activities of Democrats Abroad are particularly encouraged to join the local Chapter and sign up for email news announcements. For more information, write to 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..
Lakeside Progressives
Lakeside Progressives Chairman Mel Goldberg will talk about health care and tax reform at the group’s meeting Tuesday, September 12, 4 p.m. at the Peacock Garden Restaurant in Ajijic.
Chad Olsen will give a short presentation on the status of “Our Revolution” – a spinoff of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. Discussions to follow.
The Lakeside Progressives is a group of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to political problems. They meet the second Tuesday of each month. The group’s Facebook page is Lakeside Progressives. You can post comments on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members are invited to attend a TED seminar on “In Praise of Conflict” by Bioethicist and lawyer Jonathon Marks, Tuesday, September 12, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Conflict is bad; compromise, consensus and collaboration are good — or so we’re told. Lawyer and bioethicist Jonathan Marks challenges this conventional wisdom, showing how governments can jeopardize public health, human rights and the environment when they partner with industry. An important, timely reminder that common good and common ground are not the same thing.
Canadian Club
Thomas Thompson, noted antiquarian and longtime outspoken citizen of Ajijic, will engage club members and guests with tales of his 30-plus years in Mexico at the next meeting of the Canadian Club, Wednesday, September 13, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. The social hour begins at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Canadian Club Thanksgiving tickets, 310 pesos, will be available for purchase. For more information, see canadianclubmx.com.
Party Time
Each year, the Lake Chapala Society has worked with the pueblo of Ajijic to support their Mexican Independence celebrations (Fiestas Patrias) — the most important annual patriotic celebration. The LCS and Ajijic welcome expats to a Fiesta Mexicana held Wednesday, September 13, 5 p.m. on the society’s grounds. Enjoy a meal of pozole, or tacos and sopes, a Margarita or beer and be entertained by mariachi and ballet folclorico in the LCS gardens.
The money raised at this event will help pay for the Miss Ajijic pageant (including stage, lighting and the crowns worn by the winner and runners up) that culminates at midnight on September 15 in the Ajijic plaza. Tickets, 200 pesos, are available at LCS, Diane Pearl, Ajijic Real Estate and the Ajijic Cultural Center.
Mexican Fiesta
American Legion Post 7 in Chapala holds a Mexican Fiesta, Thursday, September 14. On the menu are Tex/Mex meat tacos, beans, rice and sweet tamales for dessert. Margaritas are only 20 pesos. A children’s folkloric dance group, Ramon Corona, will entertain, and games, prizes, a piñata and a 50/50 raffle will round out the day. A social hour begins 3 p.m. and dinner at 4:30 p.m. The cost is 150 pesos. Call Post Adjutant Vince Britton for more information 331-358-8944.
Folk dancing
A new English Country Folk Dance group will meet Sunday afternoons, beginning Sunday, September 17, 2:45-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar (the same building as The Naked Stage).
English Country Dance is like the dancing seen in movies from the 1700s and 1800s – such as in the Jane Austen or Masterpiece Theatre productions. Even people who think they have two left feet can do this. The dancing is done to a walking step and all dances are taught first, then they called (prompted) while you are doing the dance. No experience is necessary and partners are not needed. Come by yourself or, even better, bring a partner or friend. Contact Catherine or Eric Luria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (376) 766-6119 for more information.
Lakeside Freethinkers
A discussion of Spiritual Naturalism by John Stokdijk is on the dock for the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers, Wednesday, September 20. The 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 as 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, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a trip to Galerias Mall/Costco in Guadalajara Thursday, September 21. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Cost is 350 pesos for members and 450 pesos for non-members.
Holistic clinic
The third Sana-Clinica Pop-Up Clinic will be held Saturday, September 23, 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Mexico Refuge in San Antonio Tlayacapan. This event offers a spa-like atmosphere where community members are invited to come and sample the healing modalities of local holistic practitioners. Services are offered on a donation basis. For more information, or further instructions, see sana-clinica.com.
Roll Out the Barrel …
The Lake Chapala Society brings on the “Om Pa Pa” at its Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, September 23.
Oktoberfest is a celebration well known throughout the world. In celebration of the harvest and earth’s bounty, the LCS Oktoberfest has more of a Bavarian flair as the organization celebrates all cultures living lakeside. And what better way to do it than with a live polka, bratwurst, pretzel and a beer? Tickets are 120 pesos for LCS members, 150 pesos for non-members and 180 pesos at the gate. Available at LCS.
Enrich yourself
The Lake Chapala Society begins its Personal Enrichment Courses for the fall with “Introduction to Creative Writing” by Rachel McMillen, Tuesdays, October 3-24, 10 a.m. to noon, at the South Campus board room. Cost is 400 pesos.
Marshall Krantz offers up “A Novel Approach to Films” Wednesdays, October 4 to November 1, 2-5 p.m., in the LCS Sala. Cost is 750 pesos.
Francisco Nava continues his popular “Practical Gardening at Lakeside” courses Wednesdays, October 11- November 29, 9 to 10 a.m., in the garden area of LCS. Cost is 600 pesos.
Judy King gives a course on “Mexico’s Winter Holidays and Traditions,” Mondays, October 30-December 4, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is 600 pesos.
Sign up at the LCS office. For more information, see www.lakechapalasociety.com.
Canadian Thanksgiving
The Chapala branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and American Legion Post 7 Chapala are sponsoring a Canadian Thanksgiving celebration Monday, October 9, at the Casa del Musico restaurant in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Valet parking will be available. A social hour begins 2 p.m. and the traditional Thanksgiving dinner is served at 3 p.m. Door prizes, a meat draw and a 50/50 draw will be on tap. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 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..
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha offers meditation opportunities several times each week. The regular meditation and teaching session is on Wednesdays when the center is open from 3:30 p.m. with the formal schedule at 4 p.m. September 13, the meditation period will be followed by another presentation and discussion in the series “Evaluating Our Practice – Understanding and Finding Balance.”
The Heart of Awareness is grounded in the teachings of the Buddha. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. The center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For more information visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, 331-043-4669.