Golf Classic
Eighty-eight players competed in the 14th annual Golf Classic held November 9 at Chapala Country Club in Vista del Lago – a fundraiser for the Chapala delegation of the Cruz Roja (Red Cross).
Susanna Malis won the early morning putting contest, taking away a golf trip at El Tigre at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta. The pairings of Tom and Anjo Mills, and Brooks and Mary Wingrave came out on top in the main event.
This year, more companies than ever recognized the value of the Cruz Roja and the great work they do for the community by sponsoring the tournament.
All funds raised will be used to purchase new trauma equipment to further improve Cruz Roja’s service to the community.
The management and staff of the Chapala Country Club, as well as all the volunteers who helped with planning or gave their time, ensured the success of this enjoyable and worthy event.
Helping refugees
FM4 Paso Libre is a shelter in Guadalajara for Central American refugees seeking asylum and migrants seeking a better life who pass through Mexico to the United States. The shelter provides food, clothing, a bed ... and a safe respite every night for 100 Central Americans making the dangerous journey north.
Support the shelter Friday, November 17, from 2-4:30 p.m., at Yves’ Restaurant (Carretera Poniente 493 in west Ajijic) and hear from a representative how the number of people seeking asylum in Mexico has nearly doubled over last year, in response to the United States’ increased restrictions on refugees (who flee persecution due to their political activism, ethnicity, or sexual or gender orientation).
The event is a fundraiser for the shelter to celebrate this spirit of finding a better life elsewhere, as many of us have. Free margarita, chips, salsa and guacamole, compliments of Yves and Nettie. The entire 200-peso donation goes to FM4 Paso Libre.
Tennis tourney
La Cristiania Park will be the venue for the first annual Chapala Tennis Tournament, scheduled November 17-20. Competition includes singles and doubles play for men and women in eight amateur categories, plus an open category for singles players in the professional division.
Spectators are welcome. Elimination rounds begin Friday, November 17, 4 p.m. Play continues daily from 8 a.m., with the finals set for Monday, November 20. Admission is free of charge. Food and beverages will be available on the grounds.
LGBTQ Pride
Recognition of sexual diversity and advocacy for equal rights are the central themes of the second annual Chapala Pride festival on Saturday, November 18.
The event will bring together LGBTQ advocates from communities throughout the lakeshore region, the Guadalajara metro area and several neighboring states.
Activities will kick off with a parade making a full loop along Avenida Madero, starting at 5 p.m. from the intersection of Ramon Corona, in front of the Cazadores Restaurant. Individuals and groups wishing to march or run floats are asked to arrive at 4 p.m. to join the line-up.
A transvestite musical show will be staged at the open-air forum located on the eastern leg of the Malecón, 6 p.m. The program also includes two speeches addressing pertinent issues such as homophobia and discrimination, acceptance and non-violence towards homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, and the pursuance of their equal rights for marriage and adoption. Admission is open to the public free of charge.
Open Circle
John Wells presents “The Allure of Gold” at the next meeting of Open Circle at the Lake Chapala Society, Sunday, November 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Men and women have died for it, empires have risen and fallen because of it, and Bond girls have been dipped in it. The Incas thought gold to be “the sweat of the sun.” Wells will relate the history of gold from the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans to the conquest of the New World and the wild and crazy Gold Rushes of the 19th century. He will also talk about gold mining in the hills above Ajijic and the uses of gold in Mexico in the 21st century. Finally, he will explain why gold is deemed to be so valuable and its role in the development of money.
Wells is a graduate of the Royal School of Mines, England, and spent 45 years working in the mining industry in Africa, Australia, and North and South America. He continues to consult on an occasional basis from his homes in Vernon, Canada, and Ajijic.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
Toastmasters
Lago de Chapala Toastmasters Club of Ajijic member Susan Weeks will compete in the national speech contest in Campeche Saturday, November 18. Weeks was the winner of the area-level contest in Guadalajara in October. She will be participating in the Table Topics Contest in English. Table Topics is an event where the contestant is given a topic to speak about extemporaneously for one to two minutes. All contestants are given the same topic but are kept separate so that no contestant hears the topic or other contestants’ responses before they are asked to speak. Weeks will advance to the International Speech Contest if she wins in Campeche. The club meets every Monday, 7 p.m. at Lake Chapala Society. For more information contact 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..
Folk dancing
The English Country Folk Dance group will meet Sunday, November 19, 2:45-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar.
English Country Dance is like the dancing seen in movies from the 1700s and 1800s. The dancing is done to a walking step and all dances are taught first, then “called” (prompted) while you are doing the dance. No experience is necessary and no partner is needed. Come by yourself or bring a partner or friend.
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (376) 766-6119 for more information.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members are invited to attend a TED seminar titled “Is the War on Drugs Doing More Harm Than Good?” Tuesday, November 21, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala. In this bold talk, drug policy reformer Ethan Nadelmann makes an impassioned plea to end the “backward, heartless, disastrous” movement to stamp out the drug trade. He gives two reasons why we should focus on intelligent regulation.
Doggy fun
An evening of fun and fundraising for the dogs at the Ranch is scheduled at Adelita’s Bar & Grill, Wednesday November 29, 5 p.m. Bring an 80-peso cover and an old towel for the dogs. A 50/50 raffle, sales table and auction are on the bill and there will be special menu prices. Call 766-0097 for reservations.
Holiday fare
The Lake Chapala Society is holding its annual Holiday Fair Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2, from 1-6 p.m. Support local artisans and peruse the variety of beautiful handicrafts, just in time for the gift giving season. Last year, 40 booths featured handmade goods, jewelry, paintings, candles, photography, pottery and more, all created by local and nearby artists. The LCS Children’s Art program will offer a selection of more than 80 cards from their holiday catalog, as well as other children’s art for sale.
Run for love
Fundraising 5- and 10-kilometer runs will be held Sunday, December 3 to benefit the Casa Hogar children’s home and the Tepehua Community Center. The races start at the Chapala Malecon Sail statue at 8:30 a.m.
First place in the 10K event wins 500 pesos, and 150 pesos in the 5K children’s run. Register (100 pesos adults, 20 pesos children) at the Clinic Ibarra or on the day of the event at 7 a.m.
More fun with dogs
Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center has booked Santa Claus to pose for holiday portraits. The dogs can be photographed by professional photographer, Cathie Simon, in Christmas or Mexican props. All proceeds go to the care of homeless street dogs found wandering in the Lakeside area.
The fun takes place Tuesday, December 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yves Restaurant and again on Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chapala Country Club, Vista del Lago.
Enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting while your pet’s photo with Santa is being printed.
The cost is 300 pesos for your choice of one 8x10-, two 5x7- or four 4x5-inch prints, and 350 pesos for two or more dogs in one photo.
Bring a small gift to be put under the Lucky Dog Christmas tree.
Fashion Show
The School for Special Children in Jocotepec is holding its annual auction/fashion show and sale fundraiser Thursday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Restaurant Las Caballerizas Coxal in the Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala. Tickets, 300 pesos including lunch, are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique and Casi Nuevo. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve tables of ten.
LCS bus trips
Friday, November 24, LCS heads to the craft suburbs of Tonala and Tlaquepaque. The cost is 350 pesos for members and 450 pesos for non-members. The bus leaves La Floresta at 9:30 a.m. Sign up at the LCS office. Upcoming bus trips include: Andares Mall on December 7, Costco/Galerias Mall on December 18 and Tlaquepaque on December 27.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community will show the film “Chasing Buddha,” Monday, November 20, 3 p.m. The film is an award-winning documentary about the life of Ven. Robina Courtin, this month’s featured teacher at the Wednesday sessions. The monthly films are offered free of charge.
The Sangha offers meditation opportunities several times each week. The Community’s regular meditation and teaching session is Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. The formal schedule begins 4 p.m. November 22, meditation will be followed by a video teaching, “The Courage of True Compassion,” by Ven. Robina Courtin, the fourth in her series, “Unraveling Our Emotions.”
There are three additional hour-long silent meditation opportunities each week: Sundays and Mondays, 9-10 a.m. and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon.
There are three additional hour-long silent meditation opportunities each week; on Sundays and Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m. and on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
Karen Vrilakas offers a gentle and spiritual yoga practice at the Center, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, 9-11 a.m.
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, see heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, 331-043-4669.
Young talent shines at Art Fair
Each year, the Feria Maestros del Arte sponsors a contest for the Lake Chapala Society’s Children’s Art Program. The theme for this year’s contest, open to those aged 17 and under, was “flowers” and came with a cash prize. Judging the contest were Ben White (president, Lake Chapala Society); Deena Hafker (president, Ajijic Society of the Arts); and, Rachel McMillen (board member, Feria Maestros del Arte). The winners were Karina Gutierrez (17), who took first prize; Alonso Romero Ibarra (16), second; and Karen Samantha Ayon Lopez (12), third. Honorable Mention prizes were given to Antonia Gabriela Martinez Aceves (10), Daniela Lizeth Garnica Garcia (13), Joselyne Cardenas Arreguin (10) and Quetzalli Rivera Arreguin (8).