Int. Women’s Day
Catherine Rose, the Canadian proprietor of Funky Finns in San Antonio Tlayacapan and Bonita Jo Magee, and a past president of Les Dames d’Escoffiers, organized and hosted a March 8 International Women’s Day event for the benefit of the Jaltepec hospitality school.
The evening at Funky Finns included no-host cocktails, dinner and information about Centro Educativo Jaltepec. Jaltepec Director General Lupita Canepa presented some student and graduate success stories, while Cristal Zapata, a 2010 alumni and the maître d’ who teaches catering, proudly talked about her role as a teacher of the new British Butler skills, table setting and service.
Linda Buckthorp then summarized the Jaltepec program in her usual style. Music and dancing followed and the successful event raised 4,000 pesos for Jaltepec’s General Scholarship Fund.
Open Circle
Don Munroe will present “The Scottish Snail that Changed the World” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
On August 26, 1928, a snail lay decomposing in a bottle of ginger beer on a shelf in the Wellmeadow Café in Paisley, Scotland. May Donohue entered the café with a friend, who bought a fruit dish for herself and a Scottish ice cream float for her companion. A Scottish ice cream float was ice cream with ginger beer poured over it (although not normally with a decomposing snail!).
What happened next led to a lawsuit that ultimately came before the House of Lords (then the highest court in the United Kingdom), resulting in a decision that revolutionized the law, affecting the everyday lives of everyone not only in the United Kingdom but also the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and several other countries.
This dramatic shift in the law will be explained by Munroe, a prominent Canadian lawyer, law teacher, arbitrator and mediator. Don and his wife Wendy have spent their winters in Ajijic for the past seven years.
For more information on Open Circle, see opencircle ajijic.org.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum will meet Monday, March 26, 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas de Pilar.
Everyone enjoys a story, especially if it is about someone you know – a parent or grandparent is even more appealing. We all have stories to tell, but the thought of documenting the events of our own lives is a daunting task. In her presentation, “From Memories to Memoirs – Creative Ways to Share Life Stories,” Pam Ames will present a variety of simple and easy ways to preserve memories, whether you want to share your own stories or record those of loved ones. Suggestions will include ideas for preserving written, oral and photo memories. Your children and grandchildren will be grateful for this gift of a lifetime.
The Genealogy Forum is open to all. There are no dues. Whether you are just starting to research your family tree, or you are an experienced genealogist, The Genealogy Forum will have something for you. The group meets the last Monday of each month.
Toastmasters
Lago de Chapala Toastmasters Club placed well at the Guadalajara Speech Club Contest March 15. The club earned two first places and a third place standing.
Come hear about how this club can make you a better speaker by attending the next meeting on Monday, March 26. The club meets every Monday at the Lake Chapala Society from 7-8:30 p.m. Toastmasters is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. The Lago de Chapala chapter is a bilingual club that rotates meetings in English and Spanish. To attend, enter the LCS grounds via the entrance on Ramón Corona closest to the lake. 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..
LCS TED talks
Host Rick Rhoda features two TED talks, Tuesday, March 27, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the LCS Sala. The first, by Eric X. Li is “A Tale of Two Political Systems.” It’s a standard assumption in the West that as a society progresses, it becomes a capitalist, multi-party democracy. Eric X. Li, a Chinese investor and political scientist, begs to differ. In this provocative, boundary-pushing talk, he asks if there are other ways to run a successful modern nation.
In the second talk, Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister of Australia, asks: “Are China and the U.S. Doomed to Conflict?” The former prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd is also a longtime student of China, with a unique vantage point to watch its rise to power in the past few decades. He asks whether the growing ambition of China will inevitably lead to conflict with other major powers – and suggests there is another narrative.
Get Out The Vote
The Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad is currently providing voter registration support at the Lake Chapala Society every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m.-noon, and Salvador’s Restaurant on Wednesdays.
Lakeside residents and visitors who will not be in the United States for the mid-term elections in November are encouraged to visit LCS and learn from volunteers how to submit forms for themselves and their friends to receive absentee ballots.
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..
Neill James Lecture
At the next Neill James Lecture, Tuesday, March 20, 2-3:30 p.m., Cornelia Davis, M.D. presents “Searching for Sitala Mata.” Dr. Davis chronicles her arduous role in the World Health Organization’s successful global campaign to eradicate smallpox. She also holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Her work has taken her to 20 countries in Asia and Africa.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society will take 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.
Indian Swami to visit
B.S. Sridhar Swami, from India, will bring the timeless wisdom of Ancient India to Chapala on Saturday, March 31, 4 p.m. at Gonzalez Gallo 40 in La Cristiania, Chapala. This Satsang (meeting with the guru), includes a blissful mantra chant and a sumptuous feast. The event is free. Call 765-4412 for more information.
Sripad Bhakti Swarup Sridhar Maharaja is an accomplished Sanskrit scholar and bona-fide practitioner and teacher of Bhakti-yoga. He is renowned for his deep and uncanny realizations of the Vedic scriptures, clear, enchanting and precise speaking style, genuine humility, kindness, friendliness and compassion for all. He is a disciple of Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Goswami Maharaja, the Founder Acarya of the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission. Maharaja is from Orissa near Jagannatha Puri. He speaks fluent Orissi, Hindi, Bengali and English, has a diploma in Mechanical Engineering and is a scholar in Sanskrit. In 1989, he took Harinama initiation when he was 17, received sannyasa initiation from his Gurudeva when he was only 24 and has strictly upheld his vows and services for the past 20 years.
LCS history classes
Dan Grippo gives two classes April 2-6 at the Lake Chapala Society. “Negotiating Paradise: The History of Tourism in Mexico,” is Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to noon, and “The Grand Sweep of Mexican History,” on the same days, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sign up at the LCS office through Friday, March 30.
April Fools
Don’t miss the annual Tepehua April Fools Fun Raiser, Tuesday, April 3, 4-8 p.m. at the Sunrise Restaurant. While chowing down on great food, listening to music and enjoying some foolish jokes and pranks from the fools, the event also acknowledges Tepehua Community Center’s very special volunteer corps. Without their enthusiasm and devotion, the center would not exist.
Volunteers to serve the volunteers are needed. So come have some fun, dress up as a fool and get your tickets before it’s too late at the Tepehua Center, Tepehua Treasures and Sunrise Restaurant, or e-mail Harvey at 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 Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society has announced its next round of Introduction to Spanish-language classes for members. 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 lakeside and Mexican culture.
Classes begin Tuesday, April 3, and continue for three weeks at the LCS campus from noon to 1:30 p.m. and another class at 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Sign-up is available at the LCS office during regular office hours, Monday through Saturday. Or via lakechapalasociety.com.
Free screenings
Gluscose screenings open to the public are held Tuesday, April 3, 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Chapala Society. Fasting is preferred; diabetics should stay with their usual routine.
LCS Bus Trip
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a bus trip to Costco and Gallerias Mall in Guadalajara, Wednesday, March 28. The bus leaves 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Thursday, April 5, LCS heads to downtown Guadalajara for a self-guided walking tour. Visit the historical 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century architecture, stunning murals and artwork. The Instituto Cultural Cabañas is a must. A detailed map will be provided. The bus will leave promptly at 10 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
The cost for both trips is 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members. 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..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LCS Wine Tasting
The Lake Chapala Society holds its third annual wine tasting, Saturday April 7, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Tickets, 150 pesos for members, 180 pesos non-members and 200 pesos on the day of the event, are available at the LCS office.
Featured will be wineries from Chile, Argentina, Spain, Mexico and the United States, with many varieties on display. Wines will be available for purchase and tastings are unlimited this year. Appetizers are included in the ticket price, accompanied by the sounds of Peter Moore.
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Geraint (Taffy) Wilkes will entertain the members and guests.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or chickpea soup; choice of brisket, tuna steak with salad or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon tart. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue Morris at (376) 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.
New to Lakeside or Mexico?
Become a Lake Chapala Society member and sign up for their Introduction to Lakeside Seminar Thursday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn all the basics: banking, shopping, restaurants, medical, getting around, entertainment, recreation, for only 250 pesos. Sign-up at the service desk, or at lakechapalasociety.com.
Chapala meditation
Chapala Meditation Community is now offering silent mindfulness meditation in Chapala at Calle Cinco de Mayo 260 just north of Lopez Cotilla, (brown door in white building). Times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. All are welcome. For more information, see chapalameditation.com.
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 28, the 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 “Calm,” by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. These teachings 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. Individuals are welcome to come for just the meditation period, the program and discussion period, or both.
The meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. For more information, see heartofawareness.org.