Lake Chapala Birders
Lake Chapala Birders meet 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at Donas Donuts to car pool, proceeding immediately to the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake (a 60-minute drive).
Expect to see higher altitude and pasture birds such as eastern meadowlark, redwing blackbird and possibly a roadrunner. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for lunch. Return is about 3 p.m.
If you plan on going, email John Keeling at least 24 hours ahead of time.
For more information or to inform the group about sightings of birds or nests, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,call (376) 766-1801 or visit chapalabirders.org.
Open Circle
Dani Medeles, known in the area as the director of the San Juan’s Children’s Choir and Orchestra, will wake us up royally with mariachi music at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, May 13, 10:30 a.m. on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
This group of (mostly) young musicians is home-grown and was formed only a year and a half ago. It is already seen as the best in the Chapala area. Their freshness, versatility and talent make them unique.
They will accompany the Ballet Folclórico of Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos, Lola la Tequilera, and Paco Padilla, among others.
Last summer, the group toured Costa Rica where they performed in more than ten cities. They have just returned from a performance in the United States, commemorating the Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo).
Performers are Daniel Medeles, director and violin; Sergio Medeles, violin; Tomás Hinojosa, violin; Héctor Flores, vihuela; Eliseo Olivares, guitar; Giovanni Orozco, guitarrón; Carlos del Toro, harp; Carlos Torres, trumpet and Juan Torres, trumpet.
For more information on Open Circle, see opencircleajijic.org.
LCS TED talks
Philosopher-comedian Emily Levine presents “A Theory of Everything” Tuesday, May 15, noon to 1:15 p.m. at the LCS Sala. Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Levine talks (hilariously) about science, math, society and the way everything connects. She’s a brilliant trickster, poking holes in our fixed ideas and bringing hidden truths to light. Settle in and let her ping your brain.
Lake Chapala Garden Club
Environmentalist Brad Mowers will speak on “Trees Are People Too” at a luncheon meeting of the Lake Chapala Garden Club Wednesday, May 16, noon, at the Nueva Posada.
Mowers will highlight the latest scientific research on communication, plus sharing resources between trees and fungi in mature forest ecosystems.
Club member Gaye Barbor’s “Did You Know” spot features the vital need for newcomers to speak Spanish. The San Antonio Vivero will open its gates to other club members from 10:45 a.m.
Lakeside Freethinkers
The Lakeside Freethinkers’ next meeting is Wednesday, May 16, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. The topic of discussion will focus on the fact that belief in organized religion is dwindling. Is it just a question of education and time before man concludes the religious phase of his cultural evolution, or is religiosity innate to humanity and here to stay?
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, 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 tech help
Every Thursday, a tech expert will be available to help with questions and issues with phones, tablets and laptops from noon to 2 p.m. outside the LCS Sala. Members are encouraged to bring their portable device so that questions can be solved during the sit down.
American Legion CPR
Certified CPR trainer Kathy Hughes will give a class at American Legion Post 7 in Chapala Thursday, May 17, 10 a.m. Sign up at the Legion, located at Morelos 114, or 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 Bus Trips
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a bus trip to Home Depot and Costco and Mega in Guadalajara, Wednesday, May 23. The bus leaves at 9 a.m. in front of the sculpture in La Floresta. Tickets for either trip are 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members. Sign up at the LCS office at least two days before the trip is scheduled.
Tequila Tasting
The Lake Chapala Society will hold another popular Tequila Tasting Saturday, May 26, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are 150 pesos for LCS members, 180 pesos for non-members and 200 pesos the day of the event.
Flag disposal
No one wants to be disrespectful or ashamed by flying a faded, torn, or tattered national flag.
Please turn your unserviceable flags to the American Legion Post 7 Chapala for proper disposal. They will accept flags of all nationalities. Unserviceable means faded, torn or tattered.
The flags that are collected will be retired in a dignified and respectful manner – as outlined in the U.S. Flag Code – June 14, 10 a.m. at Post 7 headquarters.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community, located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic, offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sunday, May 6, the center will be open from 9 a.m. to noon for three rounds of sitting and walking meditation. Participants are welcome to come for all or just a portion of this extended practice period. Additional meditation periods are offered Monday, 9 a.m., Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation, and chairs and cushions are provided. There are brief written instructions on meditation for beginners.
May 16, the meditation period will be followed by a video presentation featuring Bonnie Duran, one of the founders of The People of Color Sangha in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in Seattle, Washington. Duran is a contributor to Hilda Gutierrez Baldoquin’s book, “Dharma, Color and Culture: New Voices in Western Buddhism,” and has written for the “Turning Wheel Journal of Engaged Buddhism.” The series in May is titled “Mistaking a Stick for a Snake: What the Buddha Taught about Inherent Bias,” and offers a thoughtful perspective on responding to the challenges of the divisive and polarized political and social environment we inhabit. Duran’s topic May 9 is “Uprooting Our Distorted Views with Mindfulness”.
A yoga class is offered at The Heart of Awareness on Thursdays at 9 am. These gentle and relaxing yoga practice sessions are taught by Latika. Some mats and blocks are provided but participants are invited to bring their own mat and water bottle. The class is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Monday, May 21, 3 p.m., Latika will talk about her recent solo trip to India, sharing the highlights with a pictorial review. This “Monday Matinee” presentation will take the place of the regularly scheduled movie.
The meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. For more information, see heartofawareness.org.
Chapala meditation
Chapala Meditation Community offers silent mindfulness meditation in Chapala at Calle Cinco de Mayo 260, just north of Lopez Cotilla, (brown door in white building), Monday and Friday, 11 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays, noon to 1:30 p.m. During May, the Community will present teachings by Ram Dass on “Conscious Aging.” The teachings will be presented on Wednesdays following a silent meditation. The sessions are presented from noon until 1:30 pm. For more information, see chapalameditation.com.
Satsang
Join spiritual teacher Noris Binet for meditation and self-inquiry on Saturday May 12, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Satsang is a Sanskrit term meaning “being in the company of the truth” or “right association” and refers to a group of like-minded people who engage in a spiritual dialogue. The root words, sat and sanga, mean “true” and “community,” respectively. Therefore, satsang may also be thought of as friendship or relationship with the truth itself.