British luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, November 3, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
The speaker will be Hector España Ramos, the Chapala government’s newly appointed community liaison. He’s also well-known as the owner of Manix.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or cream of broccoli soup; choice of liver and onions, cauliflower with cheese sauce, fish and chips or a large salad with protein. Dessert is raspberries and ice cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Arleen Foster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Open Circle
John Stokdyjk presents “Wise Guys“ at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 4, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
What is wisdom? What is the difference between wisdom and common sense? What is the difference between wisdom and intelligence? Can inexperienced youth be wise? Can artificial intelligence be wise? Where in the world are the wise guys today? And dare we ask the question “Where are the gals?” and dare we hear the answer? Stokdijk will share his personal experience in pursuit of wisdom. He will also prove beyond doubt that he himself is not wise.
Stokdijk has spoken previously at Open Circle about his spiritual journey and his mental health challenges. Two years ago he launched the Ajijic Book Club, which focuses exclusively on nonfiction. Currently he is working on a new initiative for those of us who are spiritual but not religious. He and his wife Pat have lived at Lakeside for six years, having arrived from Calgary, Alberta.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
LCS TED Talks
Julia Galef addresses “Why You Think You’re Right – Even If You’re Wrong” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, November 6, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society Sala. LCS members only.
Perspective is everything, especially when it comes to examining your beliefs. Are you a soldier, prone to defending your viewpoint at all costs – or a scout, spurred by curiosity? Galef examines the motivations behind these two mindsets and how they shape the way we interpret information, interwoven with a compelling history lesson from 19th-century France. When your steadfast opinions are tested, Galef asks: “What do you most yearn for? Do you yearn to defend your own beliefs or do you yearn to see the world as clearly as you possibly can?”
Hosted by Fred Harland.
Fundraiser for Ranch Dogs
Adelita Bar & Grill is holding a fund raiser for the dogs at The Ranch, Wednesday, November 7, 5 p.m. 100-peso cover. Auction, live music and special prices on certain menu items. Bring a donation of a towel and/or collar. Reservations/information: (376) 766-0097 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..
Veterans Day
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will celebrate this special day, Sunday, November 11, with a ceremony at 10:55 a.m. at the Post. A social hour begins at 1 p.m. and a dinner, 250 pesos, will be served at 2 p.m. Music is by The Crooners.
Focus on Mexico
Lake Chapala Society members can take advantage of various courses in November.
Mexico’s Winter Holidays and Traditions, a course taught by Judy King, runs Wednesdays, November 7, to December 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ana Moreno will teach two courses: Mexican Chiles and Salsas Tuesday, November 6, 1-4 p.m., and Making Corn Tortillas and Other Dishes Mexicans Enjoy and Share with the World Tuesday, November 20, 1-4:30 p.m.
Alfredo Perez will teach a course on Mexican Manners, Friday, November 16, noon to 2 p.m.
Enroll for any of these courses at the LCS office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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 shown in a promenade 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..
Royal Canadian Legion
The Lake Chapala Branch 182 of the Royal Canadian Legion invites all to a Remembrance Day ceremony commemorating 100 years since the end of World War I (1918-2018 Centennial Celebration), Sunday, November 11.
The event will be held on the property of the Hermanas Benedictinas de la Adoracion Perpetua del Santisimo Sacramento, Calle Jesus Garcia Norte, across from Panino Deli in San Antonio Tlayacapan, 300 meters north on the right, next to the football field. Guests should be seated by 10:30 a.m. A post-service luncheon and refreshments will be served.
Mariachi benefit concert
Gala de Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlan will perform with a ballet folklorico Sunday, November 18, 6 p.m. at the Audttorio de la Ribera in a fundraiser for the Niños de San Antonio and the Cruz Roja Chapala sponsored by The Chapala Camera de Comercio (Chamber of Commerce). Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at Yoly’s Salon, Ishop & Mail, Diane Pearl and the Camara de Comercio office at Madero 230 second floor, in Chapala, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Call (376) 765-2784 or 33-1564-9620 for free home delivery.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society heads to Costco and the Galerias mall in Guadalajara Tuesday, November 20. On Friday November 23, the bus goes to the Guadalajara Zoo.
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The bus departs 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta and returns from the venues at 3:30 p.m. for each trip. Tickets, 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members, must be purchased no later than two days before any LCS bus trip. This doesn’t include the cost of the zoo tickets.
Christmas FOR Jaltepec
Due to the demolition and reconstruction of the Centro Educativo Jaltepec hospitality and hotel school, this year’s Christmas FOR Jaltepec will be held at La Bodega in Ajijic.
The dinner event Thursday, November 29, will start at 6 p.m. Donation of 650 pesos per person. The luncheon starts at noon Friday, November 30. Donation of 550 pesos per person.
Well-known DJ Walt will play Christmas music during cocktails. Hors d’oeuvres will be prepared and served by the students, as well as a three-course roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings. And for those who wish, there will be dancing afterwards. Information: Linda Buckthorp, (376) 766-1631, 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..
CASA
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) had an exciting October starting off with two days of oversold cooking classes with Chef Marie-Lyse Jacobsmuhlen featuring a Sri Lankin Feast. The aromas of the curries were intoxicating. Be assured that nobody left hungry.
At CASA’s October 15 meeting, member cooks brought out all the stops for One Dish Comfort Foods and Wonders/Cookies and Bars. Taking first place in the main dish catetory was Carol Westbrook with Chiang Mai chicken thighs with spiced tomatillo chutney. She also won the presentation award and is now a Bing winner for her three first place wins during 2018. Jose Melendrez took second place with a vegetable lasagne and Laure Hilden took third place and people’s choice awards for beef Bourguingnon.
In the dessert category, Judith Greenberg came in first and also won people’s choice and presentation awards with limoncello bars with lavender. Nancy Brann took second with lemoncello cheesecake bars with pistachio Grahm cracker crust and Helana Ocadiz took third place for barras de mantequilla de mani y chocolate (peanut butter and chocolate bars).
Next month’s meeting is November 19 at the Hotel Monte Carlo. Categories are squash main dish and soaked sponge desserts. Information: www.ajijiccasa.org.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: 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.
Sunday, November 4, the center is 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 Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m.
Wednesday, November 7, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from teachings by Gil Fronsdal, founding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California, and the Insight Retreat Center in Santa Cruz. His subject will be “The Four Noble Truths.” A discussion period will follow the reading. A yoga class is offered Thursdays from 9-10:45 a.m.
The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.
Lake recovery sparks tourist boom
Attracted by widespread media coverage of Lake Chapala’s stunning surge in recent weeks, visitors from the Guadalajara metro area inundated lakeside last weekend. As throngs of tourists arrived to stroll Chapala’s Malecón and pier, motorists became entangled in a massive traffic backup and the battle for scarce parking spaces.