Open Circle
Kathleen Durham will present “Eleanor Roosevelt, One Shrewd Lady“ at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, October 14, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Eleanor Roosevelt was a leader extraordinaire and fervent defender of human and civil rights. J. Edgar Hoover called her “that old hoot and a dangerous person.” She considered her greatest achievement to be the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will be 70 years old December 10. As the world turns today, what would Eleanor say about the effectiveness of this document? Has the world moved forward or regressed in the practice of human and civil rights?
Prior to moving to Ajijic, Durham served as executive director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill in Hyde Park, New York, where she provided leadership training as practiced by Eleanor Roosevelt in the areas of social justice, human rights and socially conscious leadership.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
People’s Choice Awards
Polls are set to close at midnight, Sunday, October 14, for the fifth online, annual People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Imagen, publishers of the Chapala Directory and StreetSmart map guide..
To vote, go to BestofLakeChapala.com and register as a member. Registration is quick, easy and confidential. Members can then log in and vote once daily in any or all categories. A running total of vote percentages will automatically appear after a vote is cast.
Complete details can be found on the Web site. Up-to-date announcements are posted on the Best of Lake Chapala Facebook page.
Secular Spiritual Exchanges
New to Lakeside, Secular Spiritual Exchanges (SSE) meets Tuesday, October 16, 3 p.m., at La Nueva Posada. Come explore this intriguing initiative with others who identify as spiritual but not religious. Discussion will center around the book “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” by Lewis Richmond. Stay for food and fellowship at 4:30 p.m. Information: 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.. Limited seating, so RSVP.
LCS TED Talks
Luvvie Ajayi will discuss “Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable” in the next TED Talk, Tuesday, October 16, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society Sala. LCS members only.
Ajayi isn’t afraid to speak her mind or be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. “Your silence serves no one,” says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi shares three questions to ask yourself if you’re teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down – and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.
U.S. Voter Assistance
The November 6, 2018 midterm elections are nearing. Need help to complete and submit your absentee ballots? To assist all U.S. and dual-U.S. citizens at Lakeside wishing to have their votes counted, the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad is continuing its non-partisan absentee ballot support at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) in Ajijic through Tuesday, October 23. The help sessions are on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, where volunteers can be found under the blue umbrellas to answer questions and provide forms and printer support.
Lakesiders who have a computer and printer/scanner at home are also encouraged to help their friends in need with downloading, printing, scanning and e-mailing ballot requests and submissions. In many states it is still possible to request an absentee ballot through e-mail by registering directly online at either: VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG or FVAP.GOV. Those wishing to know when their ballot will arrive by e-mail can query the link “Find Answers” at: VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG where election deadlines and County Clerk telephone numbers and email addresses can be found.Individuals who are housebound and need personalized help can write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request special assistance with ballots and voting.
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..
The following shots will be offered: 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.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit facebook.com/TTWAjijic." />The flu shot will not be available until the end of October according to Mexican health authorities. Another LCS health day will be given in November to accomodate those who want a flueshot. Sign up for that at the October 16 event.
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.
Lake Chapala Birders
Wednesday October 17, the Lake Chapala Birders will carpool at Donas Donuts in Ajijic, 8 a.m., leaving for the Cajititlan Marsh (a 30-minute drive). Expect to see a variety of marsh and lake birds such as Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet and perhaps a Wood Stork. At about 10:30 a.m. the group will head to Las Delicias restaurant in Chapala for breakfast and complete the bird list. E-mail John Keeling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 48 hours ahead of time if you wish to go and mention if you can bring a vehicle.
Lakeside Freethinkers
Phil Rylett will give a brief overview of the science behind changing minds, followed by a discussion and personal stories of interactions with minds in need of liberation at the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers, Wednesday, October 17, 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.
To attend or for more information, 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..
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society heads to Costco and the Galerias mall in Guadalajara Wednesday, October 24.
The bus departs 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. Tickets, 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members, must be purchased no later than two days before any LCS bus trip.
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 or buy them online at tailsofmexico.weebly.com.
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 18: MS Word Features for Writers.
October 25: Introduction to Facebook.
Cruz Roja Golf Classic
The Chapala Country Club will hold their 15th Annual Cruz Roja Golf Classic tournament Thursday, November 8. The tournament is a scramble with mixed teams. Prizes include a new car donated by Dalton Motors for a hole-in-one on the 13th hole, a golf cart from Lozano on the 8th hole and lots of other prizes. This tournament fills up early, so visit the pro shop or call (376) 763-5136 to reserve your spot. Golfers pay 1,500 pesos for golf, cart and breakfast, a bag lunch and a mixed grill BBQ dinner. Dinner-only tickets, 300 pesos, are available at the pro shop or Yoly’s Estetica at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic. If you wish to volunteer or sponsor this event, call Don, 766-4990 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..
Focus on Mexico at LCS
Lake Chapala Society members can take advantage of various courses in November.
Mexico’s Winter Holidays and Traditions, a course taught by long-time resident Judy King, runs Wednesdays, November 7 to December 19, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Ana Moreno will teach two courses. Mexican Chiles and Salsas on November 6, 1-4 p.m., and Making Corn Tortillas and Other Dishes Mexicans Enjoy and Share with the Worldon November 20, 1-4:30 p.m.
Alfredo Perez will teach a course on Mexican Manners so you can understand the basic and necessary questions for the real and adequate coexistence with your new neighbors. Class will be held November 16, noon to 2 p.m.
Finally, Ricardo Yohualoceloth and Cesar Mata will prepare a temazcal, a pre-hispanic Mexican ritual steam bath uniting body, mind and spirit with Mother Earth, November 30, 1-6:30 p.m. at the Tlatonal Community.
Enroll for any of these courses at the LCS office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t dally, they fill up fast.
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.
Monday, October 15, a movie matinee is screened at 3 p.m. This month’s selection is “On Meditation,” a documentary that examines meditation through an exploration of extraordinary people and their practices.
Wednesday, October 17, the meditation period will be followed by another reading of essays by Peter Doobinin titled “Yokes.” The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.
Fashion show
Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago will hold a fashion show and luncheon Wednesday, November 14, noon to 4 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. The latest fashions by Lynn Gilbank, Cugini’s Boutique and Barbara Milagros will be promenading on the catwalk. For tickets, 350 pesos, contact Jan Manning, (376) 766-5278 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..