‘Mutt Strutt’
Lucky Dog dog shelter is holding a “Mutt Strutt” fundraiser in Cristiania Park in Chapala Saturday, March 10.
To participate, bring your dog to walk, jog or run a designated route set up in the park and along the Malecon. Registration for the walk is 100 pesos and walkers are asked to get pledges from family and friends to support Lucky Dog.
The walker bringing in the most pledges will receive a prize and any walker bringing in pledges over 400 pesos will receive a special walk T-shirt. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m.
After the walk, everyone is encouraged to remain in the park and enjoy a fun day featuring agility demonstrations, dog contests with prizes, the Lucky Dog Marketplace, with top-dog vendors showing canine-related products and services, including nail clipping, Talk to a Trainer, Ask a Vet and photo opportunities. The Dog House Bar and Grill will be open with BBQ and cold drinks.
The finale is a dog talent contest at the bandstand around 1 p.m., showcasing the multi talents of our canine friends.
Open Circle
Dr. Michael Hogan, Ph.D. will present “The Irish Soldiers of Mexico” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
This is the story of a group of men, mostly Irish, who fought on the Mexican side during the U.S. invasion of 1846-48. Members of an artillery unit called Los San Patricios, or Soldiers of St. Patrick, saw action in almost every battle of the Mexican War. They were captured by U.S. forces after the Battle of Churubusco in August 1847, and 40 were executed in “the largest hanging affair in the history of North America.” Hogan will discuss why they joined the Mexicans, why the punishments were so harsh, and why they have become a Mexican legend.
Dr. Hogan is an historian, educator, and author of 24 books including Abraham Lincoln and Mexico and The Irish Soldiers of Mexico, which was the basis for an MGM movie starring Tom Berenger. He is Emeritus Humanities Chair at the American School Foundation of Guadalajara, and a former professor of International Relations at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara. He is a member of the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the Geographical Society of Mexico.
For more information on Open Circle, see opencircle ajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The sixth “Sunday Afternoon at the Movies” festival sponsored by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad will show the film “The Invisible War” Sunday, March 11, 1:30 p.m. at Cinema del Lago in the Bugambilias Plaza.
Proceeds from the 80-peso ticket price will be used to support the “Get Out The Vote” campaign for the November 2018 midterm elections. The Chapala Chapter is currently providing voter registration support at the Lake Chapala Society every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m.-noon. Lakeside residents and visitors who will not be in the United States in November are encouraged to visit LCS and learn from our volunteers how to submit forms for themselves and their friends to receive absentee ballots.
The next monthly meeting of Democrats Abroad is Monday, March 12, 4 p.m. at Salvador’s Restaurant in Plaza Bugambilias. The guest speaker will be the author Mike Hais, who will examine “The Past and Future of the Democratic Party” within the context of demographic and societal trends that are remaking the United States. For more 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 general meeting
The Lake Chapala Society will hold its annual general meeting Tuesday, March 13, 10 a.m. Most normal activities and desks are closed until the end of the meeting and the TED seminar may be delayed. The Introduction to Spanish noon class will be held at the Wilkes Center.
LCS TED talks
Michael Specter will speak on “The Danger of Science Denial” Tuesday, March 13, noon to 1:15 p.m. at the LCS Sala. The talk is facilitated by Phil Rylett. LCS members only.
Vaccine-autism claims, “frankenfood” bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public’s growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason. Specter tells us how this spells disaster for human progress.
Progressive Action Group
The Progressive Action Group will meet Tuesday, March 13 to discuss guns and the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as an individual right. Chairman Mel Goldberg will present some historical and legal background of the debate about this issue and what we can do about.
The Progressive Action Group is gathering of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to political problems.They now meet at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Sunrise Restaurant, Carretera Ote. 119 in Chula Vista. The group’s Facebook page is Progressive Action Group. You can post your comments on 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.. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
Neill James Lecture
Dr. Michael Joseph Roberto presents “The Coming of the American Behemoth: Fascist Processes in the Epicenter of World Capitalism, 1920-1940” at the next Neill James lecture, Tuesday, March 13, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Sala of the Lake Chapala Society.
Fascism was seen as a serious threat to American democracy if it based a concentration of wealth and power. Were the perils of fascism postponed then, only to emerge now? LCS members only.
Canadian Club
The Guadalajara Reporter’s Chapala-area correspondent Dale Hoyt Palfrey will be the speaker at the next meeting of the Canadian Club of Lake Chapala, Wednesday, March 14, at La Nueva Posada. Her topic will be “Mexican Civics 101: Understanding how our local government works.” A social hour begins at 3 p.m. and the program begins at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. A 50-peso fee is asked from non-members.
Pooch’s yard sale
“The Ranch” (aka Lakeside Spay & Neuter) will hold a fundraiser bazaar/yard sale, Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paseo de La Colina 22 in Upper La Floresta. Donated items are needed and drop off and pick-up information is available at (376) 766-0821 or by emailing 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..
Rotary fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Ajijic will hold a fundraiser dinner and art auction to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17. The fun will be at the Hotel El Tapatio at Km. 6.5 Carretera Chapala in Tlaquepaque. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. A cash bar, art auction, draws and dinner are on the bill. Tickets, 500 pesos in advance and more information 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..
More St. Pat’s Day events
Restaurants holding St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at lakeside include Arileo in San Juan Cosala with a special menu including corned beef and cabbage, (376) 106-1627; El Bar Co in Ajijic serves corned beef and cabbage, green beer and wine starting at 1 p.m. accompanied by live music, (376) 766-0452; Manix Restaurant at Ocampo 57 in Ajijic offers pea soup, corned beef and cabbage and other special menu items, (376) 766-0061; Roberto’s in West Ajijic will serve corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and many other menu specialties,(376) 766-1616.
Red Cross auction
The Chapala Cruz Roja will hold a benefit live auction Saturday, March 17 at the Centro Cultural González Gallo. Items up for bidding will be on view from 3 p.m., going on the block at 4:30 p.m.
Treasures already collected for the event include works by well-known artists, heirloom and hand-crafted jewelry items, a gently used motor scooter, a large gong from Indonesia and numerous vouchers for restaurant meals and at-home gourmet dinners, vacation rentals and personal care packages. Purchases may be paid by cash or credit card.
Admission for 150 pesos includes wine and cheese tasting and non-alcoholic beverages for all patrons. Advance tickets are on sale at Yoly’s Unisex Salon, Diane Pearl Poncho’s Deli Market, Lake Taco, and Cosmopolitan Consignments shop.
You can donate additional items at Yoly’s Salon or Cosmopolitan Consignments. Pick-up for large items may be arranged with 24-hour advance notice by contacting the shop’s proprietor Oscar Farias at 331-194-3222 (cel) 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..
English folk dancing
The English Country Folk Dance group will meet Sunday, March 18, 2:45-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar (the same building as “The Naked Stage”).
This dance will feature visiting teacher and caller Nan Evan. English country dance is like the dancing seen in movies from the 1700’s and 1800’s – such as in the Jane Austen or Masterpiece Theatre productions. The dancing is 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 no partner is needed – come by yourself or bring a partner or a friend. For more information, contact Catherine or Eric Luria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 766-1552.
Bye Bye snowbirds
Patrick Holden of the Lakeside Great Northern Snowbird Association announces the yearly Snowbird flock-off, Tuesday, March 20, 4 p.m. at the Maria Isabel Restaurant. Tapatia singer Mariana Vigueras will perform while friends enjoy the buffet or menu service and say goodbye to their snowbird buddies. For more 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 health service
Wendy Jane Carrel will present ““Steps to Take at Lake Chapala for Healthcare Emergencies – How to Plan, Prepare, and Respond,” Wednesday. March 21, 2 p.m. in the LCS Sala. This talk will include an overview of the emergency system, the healthcare system, registries, legal documents and resources. Carrel has a MA in Spanish and is Senior Care Advisor & End of Life Planner for Mexico & Ecuador. This talk is open to the public.
Lakeside Freethinkers
The Lakeside Freethinkers will feature a discussion on how positive thinking can fool and even endanger us, as well as the alternatives at their next meeting, Wednesday, March 21, 4-6 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who is an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. Freethinkers reject supernatural and other unsupported claims, and rely instead on reason applied to evidence to guide their lives. If you would like to attend, or just obtain additional 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..
Tequila tasting
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to sign up for a limited (25-participant) tequila tasting event, Thursday, March 22, 2 p.m. Explore your passion for tequila, learn all about the Mexico’s national drink, where it comes from, how it’s produced, and how to enjoy the flavors by sampling 100-percent agave tequila from both the Tequila Valley and the Jalisco Highlands. The event will highlight the diversity of the category and aroma and flavor differences based on terroir and production methods. Cost is 250 pesos per person.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society will bring shoppers to Costco and Galerias Mall in Guadalajara, Wednesday, March 28. Tickets, 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members, are on sale at LCS. The bus departs promptly at 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
LCS history classes
Dan Grippo gives two classes April 2-6 at the Lake Chapala Society, “Negotiating Paradise: The History of Tourism in Mexico,” Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to noon, and “The Grand Sweep of Mexican History,” same days, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sign up at the LCS office.
Fundraiser
Viva Mexico restaurant in San Juan Cosala will host a dinner fundraiser for the Home for Abandoned and Elderly Women, Friday, April 6, 4 p.m. Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, Sunrise Restaurant, Viva Mexico and Lisa Le at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent mediation. All sessions are open to the public and chairs and cushions are provided. One-hour sessions are a mix of sitting and walking and the 45-minute session on Wednesday is a sitting meditation.
Hour-long meditation periods are offered Sunday and Monday at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, the 45-minute meditation period, which begins at 4 p.m., will be followed by a video presentation from a series titled “The Ten Perfections.” This week’s title is “Truth,” by teacher Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The ten paramis, or perfections, provide a highly useful framework for guiding our conduct in daily life. Any activity or relationship approached wisely with the primary purpose of developing the perfections in a balanced way becomes part of the practice. The perfections also provide one of the few reliable ways of measuring the accomplishments of your life. “Accomplishments” in the realm of work and relationships have a way of turning into dust, but perfections of the character, once developed, are dependable and lasting.
The meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. For more information, see heartofawareness.org.