Tequila Tasting
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) 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 on the day of the event.
Open Circle
Juan de la Rosa will present “What Expats Need to Know about Mexican Law” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society. As a Mexican resident, what are your rights? As a Mexican resident, what are your obligations? What should you do if you witness a crime? What should you expect from the Mexican authorities if you are involved in a crime? If you are in a traffic accident, what should you do? De la Rosa will address these and other questions.
De la Rosa moved to Chapala with his wife and four children nine months ago after falling in love with the lakeside people and climate after ten years as a practicing attorney at law. Through his work he is committed to helping people and looks forward to assisting expats in the local community however he is needed. He is also involved in nature conservation in the Chapala area.
For more information on Open Circle, see opencircleajijic.org.
Memorial Day
The American Legion Post Seven will hold a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 28, noon. Afterward, enjoy a dinner of pit roasted pig, baked beans, corn of the cob and ice cream with topping. A live band, raffles, a 50/50 draw and door prizes are on the bill. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at 765-2259.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum will meet Monday, May 28, 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar.
This month’s forum will be about books available free online. Millions of books have been digitized, a few million or so which are of special interest to family historians. These include surname genealogies, town, county and state histories, books about places your ancestors may have worked, historic events your ancestors may have taken part in, and more.
“My ancestors were never important enough to be in a book” you say. Think again! You may be surprised. Marci Bowman will lead a discussion of what you might find in books, where to find them, tips on how to use them and more. 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 monthly on the last Monday of each month.
LCS TED talks
Novelist Elif Shafak presents “The Revolutionary Power of Diverse Thought” Tuesday, May 29, noon to 1:15 p.m. at the LCS Sala. “From populist demagogues, we will learn the indispensability of democracy,” says Shafak. “From isolationists, we will learn the need for global solidarity. And from tribalists, we will learn the beauty of cosmopolitanism.”
A native of Turkey, Shafak has experienced firsthand the devastation that a loss of diversity can bring – and she knows the revolutionary power of plurality in response to authoritarianism. In this passionate, personal talk, she reminds us that there are no binaries, in politics, emotions and our identities. “One should never, ever remain silent for fear of complexity,” Shafak says.
iLOX public meeting
A group of lakeside residents are working to convince the iLOX Fiber Optic Internet division of TV Rey Group to extend their existing high-speed fiber optic network to homes and businesses to lakeside. Fiber optic transmissions are not affected by severe weather or electrical interference and are capable of transferring large amounts of data at very high speeds.
With a single strand fiber optic connection, homes and businesses would be able to have fast internet, up to 300mbs, two telephone lines and 132 channels of television. Studies have shown that having broadband high speed internet available increases property values and is a factor in the relocation decision of businesses and families.
If you are interested, come to the Lake Chapala Society’s Sala Tuesday, June 5, 4 pm.
LCS tech help
Every Thursday, tech expert Mike Goss 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 devices so that questions can be solved during the sit down.
Lakeside Singles
Lakeside Singles group will meet Thursday, May 31, 4-6 p.m. at Mama’s Bar, located on the north side of the Carretera across from Super Lake.
It is an easy bus ride from Ajijic and the bus stops across the street. There is parking at the rear. A full bar with draft beer and reasonable food options are available. If you plan to attend, email the names of your guests to 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
Introduction to Spanish is cancelled for June, but will begin on Tuesday, July 10. Register in the LCS service office. Meanwhile, continue to learn by joining Exploring Spanish, held every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sala. LCS Members only. Free.
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, June 2, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. The speaker will be Sony Strahl, who, having been blessed with many gifts at birth, would like to share one of her favorites, “Hands-on Healing.” Menu choices begin with a small salad or vegetable soup; choice of steak pie with mashed potato, vegetables and gravy or grilled fish, mashed potato and vegetables or a large salad with protein. Dessert is chocolate cake and ice cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Chess Tournament
A children’s chess tournament is scheduled Saturday, June 9, 11a.m. on the Neill James Patio at the Lake Chapala Society. Open to the public, the tournament offers prizes for the first places in three categories: junior primary, primary school and high school.
Registrations by whatsapp at 331-428-4180 or in the Clazabien store at Parroquia 18 in front of the Ajijic plaza.
New to Lakeside or Mexico?
The Lake Chapala Society’s “Introduction to Lakeside Seminar” will take place Thursday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn all the basics: banking, shopping, restaurants, medical, getting around, entertainment and recreation, all for only 250 pesos. Sign up at the service desk, or at lakechapalasociety.com.
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 – Thursday, June 14, 10 a.m. at Post 7 headquarters.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation, Sunday and Monday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 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 23, the meditation period will be followed by a video presentation featuring Joseph Goldstein, senior dharma teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. The topic of Joseph’s talk is “Creating Stability of Mind.” In Joseph’s words “It’s not what’s happening that’s important. What’s important is our relationship to what’s happening.”
A yoga class is offered at The Heart of Awareness on Thursdays at 9 a.m. 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 one hour and 45 minutes.
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 p.m. For more information, see chapalameditation.com.