San Francisco fiestas
Chapala continues to honor its patron saint San Francisco de Asis with daily processions along Avenida Madera to the parish church in the early mornings and early evenings through Thursday, October 4.
Following the daily 7 p.m. Mass, free cultural entertainment is staged at the church atrium. Throughout the night, crowds will head around the corner to Paseo Ramon Corona to enjoy typical foods, mechanical rides and games of chance. Each night caps off with a fireworks display outside the church, around 10 p.m.
Vegan Fest
The first Lake Chapala Vegan Fest takes place Saturday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the plaza in San Antonio. Cooking demonstrations will use locally available ingredients, while educational talks will focus on animal rights, and nutritional and environmental impacts of a vegan diet. Local vegans will also tell their personal stories.
Says Vegan Fest organizer Greg Laviolette: “This festival is really about animals and non-violence. This is the message we’re trying to get across, in the most gentle, educational way that we can.”
See Facebook: Lake Chapala Vegan Fest.
Thrill the World
Rehearsals for “Thrill the World Ajijic 2018” are ongoing Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-3 p.m., at the Ajijic Cultural Center. They continue until the show Saturday, October 27, 4 p.m., when hundreds of spectators will pack the plaza.
Anyone can come and learn the dance; no experience is necessary. Plenty of dance captains will be on hand to help you, so come and have fun and raise some money for the Red Cross.
Questions? Contact Val Jones or Dee Grant at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit facebook.com/TTWAjijic.
Satsang Ajijic
Satsang Ajijic is offering its Monthly Satsang Saturday, September 29 at the house of the Blue Door, Aquíles Serdán 5, Ajijic. The Satsang is taught by Noris Binet, a visual artist, author and spiritual teacher who holds an honorary doctorate in counseling and philosophy from the IIHS in Montreal, Canada. Her studies include meditation and Pranayama in India, the art of offerings in Indonesia and shamanic practices in Mexico. Noris has practiced Dreams Alchemy for over 30 years.
The “Satsang is a Rose” will explore what it is that blossoms within oneself when there is a shift from staying in the world of the mind to beginning to live in the present, in the world of this exact moment.
For more information and to register your place for A Day of Presence, call 331-441-7715, (376) 766-0312 or e-mail 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..
Open Circle
Olga Kaplounenko will present “Traveling with Songs Along the Way“ at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, September 30, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Kaplounenko will talk about her travels to different countries and her music-related experiences during these trips. A polyglot, she will sing in the languages of the countries visited: Russian, Swedish, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Kaplounenko is a Muscovite, married with one son. She has a master’s degree in electrical engineering as well as a degree in music and jazz vocals from the Moscow Jazz College. She has worked as a guest researcher in Denmark, Sweden and later in Silicon Valley, where she worked for 16 years. While in the United States, she sang solo and in different choirs. When her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years ago, she moved to Mexico where she’s been involved with Los Cantantes and has participated in the Lakeside Little Theatre productions “Drowsy Chaperone” and “Tickle Your Fancy.” She also plays piano and guitar, but singing is her passion.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure screenings are available to the public Mondays, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lake Chapala Society.
Introduction to Spanish
Classes for LCS members begin Tuesday, October 2, and run for the first three Tuesdays of the month. Sign up and pay the course fee of 220 pesos in the LCS office.
LCS TED Talks
Writer and activist Sisonke Msimang will discuss “If A Story Moves You, Act on It” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, October 2, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society Sala. LCS members only.
In this funny and thoughtful talk, Msimang questions our emphasis on storytelling and spotlights the decline of facts. During a critical time when listening has been confused with action, he asks us to switch off our phones, step away from our screens and step out into the real world to create a plan for justice.
Basic Yoga
Learn how to safely move to maintain your alignment while becoming comfortable with yoga poses and transitions. Bring a mat. Chairs are available. Every Wednesday, 2-3 p.m., on the LCS gazebo. For LCS members.
Tech classes
Lake Chapala Society members can take technology classes with Mike Goss Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., in the LCS sala. Sign up at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your membership number and expiration date.
October 4: Chromebooks.
October 18: MS Word Features for Writers.
October 25: Introduction to Facebook.
Lakeside Singles
The next mixer for the Lakeside Singles is Thursday, October 4, 4-6 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57, Ajijic. If you plan to attend, e-mail 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..
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, October 6, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
The speaker will be Inez Dayer, who will give her insight into sharing your ability to speak English with our hosts, the Mexican community.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or oxtail soup; choice of ribs, coleslaw and beans or fish pie or a large salad with protein. Dessert is apple pie with ice cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue Sterlini at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sue Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Introduction to Lakeside.
New to lakeside? You need this seminar. Topics include banking, shopping, medical services, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays and religious observations.
The seminar is held in the Lake Chapala Society Sala Thursday, October 11, 9 a.m. For LCS members only. Register in the office or on the LCS website.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society heads to the crafts center of Tonala Wednesday, October 10.
The bus departs 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. Cost is 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members.
LCS health day
The Lake Chapala Society will hold a health day event open to the public Tuesday, October 16, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., on the LCS Patio.
The following shots will be offered: Flu, Pneumonia for Life (Prevnar 13), Pneumonia - 5 year, Typhoid, DPT (Tetanus), Shingles (Zostavax). Sign up for shots in the LCS office and get shot price information.
There will also be blood pressure screenings, glucose/diabetes screenings, medication/supplement consultations and a presentation by Catherine Gonzales (SkyMed) on “Making a Health Care Plan … Before You Need It,” from 10-11 a.m. in the sala.
Yappy Hour
Tails of Mexico will host its second annual Yappy Hour at Roberto’s restaurant Thursday, October 18, 4-7 p.m. This fundraiser helps defray the cost of sending dogs north of the border.
Expect wonderful appetizers, music, a silent auction from local merchants and more.
Tails of Mexico sends dogs north of the border to a shelter or rescue group that have a Web site and a large following. Most of the dogs are adopted out within days. Approximately 60 dogs have wonderful new homes north of the border thanks to Tails of Mexico.
Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at Roberto’s, and Diane Pearl for buy them online at tailsofmexico.weebly.com.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sundays, 9 a.m., Wednesdays, 4 p.m., and Thursdays, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided as well as brief written instructions on meditation for beginners.
Wednesday, October 3, the meditation period will be followed by an audio from Peter Doobinin. His essay on “Skillful Effort” will be read and group discussion will follow. Doobinin was the guiding teacher of Downtown Meditation in New York City for 16 years and now teaches insight meditation in Berlin. He was also a co-founder of New York Insight and is the author of The Skill of Living.
A yoga class is offered by Latika Claude Thursdays, 9-10:45 a.m.
The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.