Open Circle
David Pisarra presents “Silver Linings – How to Find Your Pony” at the next gathering of Open Circle, Sunday, December 31, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Failures in life, whether in business or relationships, are as certain as the sun rising, but what we do with them – whether we hold on to the pain or learn from it – therein lies the silver lining (or not). All experiences have two sides. It is up to us to choose the side that serves our growth rather than our pain.
Pisarra is a professional member of the National Speakers Association. He seeks to inspire, educate and entertain audiences with a unique brand of humility, vulnerability and humor. He is an author of five books on a range of topics, the most recent of which is “The Empowered Entrepreneur – A Field Guide for Failure,” which is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society has announced the start of their next term of Spanish-language classes for members. Classes begin Monday, January 8 and continue through February 26, meeting two days a week for an hour and a half each session at the Wilkes Education Center (Biblioteca) in Ajijic.
The LCS Spanish program uses the Warren Hardy Spanish language course which is designed for the adult student. Several levels of instruction are available. The program manager will be available to answer questions and take registrations every day during the week of January 2 to 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at LCS on the blue umbrella patio.
Introduction to Spanish-language classes for LCS members begins Tuesday, January 9 (noon to 1:30 p.m. or 2 to 3:30 p.m.) and continues for three weeks. This is a casual class offered for the beginner that covers the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases to use about town for shopping, and other useful information about the area and Mexican culture.
For more information about the Spanish classes or LCS membership, visit www.lakechapalasociety.com or call 766-1140.
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, January 6, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. Geraint Wilkes will sing and entertain the attendees.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or vegetable soup; choice of meat pie with chips and gravy or grilled fish fillet with chips or cheese and onion pie with chips or a large salad. Dessert is strawberry cheesecake. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue Morris at 766-0847 or e-mail Sue Sterlini at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Social Club outing
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Social Club invites one and all to take a trip to Guadalajara’s new aquarium, the Acuario Michin, Tuesday, January 9. The aquarium is located beside the Parque Rehilete Alcalde, not far from the city center. The cost of the bus trip is 370 pesos for LCS members and 390 pesos for non-members. The aquarium entrance fee is 199 pesos for adults and 120 pesos for those with an INAPAM card. A café is located at the venue. Sign up at the LCS office.
LCS Seminar
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members are invited to attend a TED seminar titled “A Doctor’s Case for Medical Marijuana” hosted by Pete Soderman, Tuesday, January 2, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Physician David Casarett was tired of hearing hype and half-truths around medical marijuana, so he put on his skeptic’s hat and investigated on his own. He comes back with a fascinating report on what we know and what we don’t know, and what mainstream medicine could learn from the modern medical marijuana dispensary.
Learn how to play
Join Catherine Gonzalez for supervised bridge lessons each Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Bridge Club in Riberas del Pilar. Improve your game, learn new bidding systems and have some fun. A lesson and discussion on a single topic begin the afternoon and then play supervised by instructors who will give advice on the hand you are playing. It is casual, not competitive and there are no time limits.
The cost is 50 pesos per session with half going to a charity. Call 766-0781 for more information.
Green Thumbs
Francisco Nava offers gardening classes to novices and more advanced gardeners Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 9 to February 1 at the south campus board room of the Lake Chapala Society.
The beginners class runs from 1-2 p.m. and is focused on learning the ABCs of gardening at Lakeside, effective communication with your gardener, including beginning vocabulary and phrases; what type of plants grow well in different gardens; planting from seeds; pest and disease management; pruning, weeding, composting, mulching and a host of other topics.
More advanced gardeners will want to take the class that runs from 2-3 p.m. Nava dives into soil testing, horticulture, microorganisms, soil composition, gardening from seed, the range of plant types and forms, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders, management of green spaces, landscaped areas and ornamental gardens and more.
The cost for either class is 700 pesos and you must be an LCS member to attend. Classes must have between 11 and 20 students to be held. Sign up at the LCS office.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society will head to Guadalajara Thursday, January 11, for a self-guided walking tour of the city center.
Admire the historical 17th-,18th- and 19th-century architecture and stunning murals. Visit the famed Instituto Cultural Cabanas. Sit and people-watch in the beautiful plazas, have lunch in the Plaza de los Laureles or enjoy the elegant dining at the Hotel Mendoza. A detailed map will be provided.
The cost is 370 pesos for members, 470 pesos for non-members. The bus will leave promptly at 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. Sign up at the LCS office.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Dave Warren brings a touch of Scottish realism to the annual Rabbie Burns supper-fundraiser for Niños Incapcitados. This year the event is on Thursday, January 25, 5 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. Cocktails and dancing will be held in the patio area and dinner in the Eucalyptus Room. Tributes and toasts, dancing, singing, a delicious dinner including a bite of haggis, a wee dram of scotch and a no-host bar are all part of this fun evening. Kilts and tartans are encouraged. For tickets, 500 pesos, contact Anne at (376) 766-1609 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.." />
Jaltepec open house
An open house at Lakeside’s technical school for hotel and restaurant studies for young women of scarce resources, Centro Educativo Jaltepec, will be held Tuesday, January 23, 11 a.m. The event starts with a presentation of the history of the institute, and an explanation of its academic and scholarship programs. A tour of the facilities and a question-and-answer period will follow. A complimentary lunch will be served at 1 p.m., so that the public can see the quality of education the students receive to attain their technical degree en hoteleria. Seating is limited to 60 guests, including current sponsors. Contact Community Facilitator Linda Buckthorp, 766-1631 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information or to make a reservation to attend the event.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers four opportunities each week for silent meditation. The center is open Sunday and Monday, 9 a.m., Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. to anyone who wishes to meditate. Chairs and cushions are provided. There are brief written instructions on meditation available for beginners. Wednesdays the meditation period is followed by a short reflection on Buddhist teachings and a discussion period, ending by 6 p.m.
Only a few spaces remain for the January 19-21 silent insight meditation retreat with DaeJa Napier, “Patience – the wisdom of slowing down.” This retreat is held at Cinco Elementos in La Cristina. Details and registration information can be found at www.heartofawareness.org.
The meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. All are invited regardless of experience or affiliation. For further information on the community and scheduled activities, visit the website, www.heartofawareness.org, 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..