Open Circle
Dr. Gabriel de J. Varela Rizo and Dr. José Ernesto Ledesma González present “Stroke – The First Four Hours!“ at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 25, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Advances in knowledge, the development of new drugs and more advanced technology have increased hope for a better quality of life after a stroke. But for these advances to be useful in practice, it is necessary for patients to be aware of them and act quickly in an emergency. Open Circle’s goal is to increase awareness so that as many people as possible know what to do immediately following the first signs of stroke and be able to avail themselves of timely therapy.
Dr. Ledesma González, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Dr. Varela Rizo from Mexico City are both experienced and knowledgeable neurologists.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Chapala Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders will meet Monday, November 26, 8 a.m., at Donas Donuts to car pool to the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake – a 60-minute drive. Expect to see wood storks, osprey and possibly a white-tailed hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12:30 p.m. lunch stop. The group returns to Ajijic about 3 p.m.
Bird walks are open to all those interested in birds; just bring binoculars. If you plan on going, email John Keeling at least 48 hours ahead of time as to whether or not you can bring a vehicle to help with carpool planning.
Federal Benefits
New U.S. Regional Federal Benefits Officer Rick Meyer will give a presentation to the community Monday, November 26, 10 a.m,. at American Legion Post 7 in Chapala. He will provide general information regarding Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration services, explain the email appointment system of the U.S. Consulate Federal Benefits Unit and talk about international direct deposits. Meyers will take questions after the presentation.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum meets Monday, November 26, 1 to 3 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar. Because this month has been the centenary of the Armistice of 1918, the Forum will present World War I records focusing on the participants, but including information about campaigns, regimental history, grave locations, and life at home. So many people around the world were affected, it’s a rare family without any impact. Even if they didn’t serve, there are frequently records of attempted enlistments or potential conscriptions. The meeting will cover British, Commonwealth and European record sources.
The Genealogy Forum is open to all, whether you are an old hand or new to genealogy. There are no dues. The Family History Center is open Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon and after the monthly meeting. The church is located diagonally across the Carretera from Mom’s Deli, and across the street from Orma Autoparts.
TED Talks
Yuval Harari presents “Why Fascism Is So Tempting and How Your Data Could Power It” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, November 27, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society Sala. LCS members only.
We think of ourselves as an intelligent species and that our progress is constantly guided by reason, but as Harari has pointed out in previous lectures, we have a great capacity for believing myths. This can sometimes be an advantage, but not always, and the current worldwide fascination with populist leaders has some alarming dangers.
Hosted by Clive Overton.
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.
Tickets are still available for both events. 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..
Lakeside Singles
The Lakeside Singles meet Thursday, November 29, 4 to 6 p.m. at El BarCo Bar and Restaurant, upstairs on the deck. A band will play at 7 p.m. for those who want to stay and dance. El BarCo is located at Carretera 33, just west of the Pemex station.
Scholarship fund
Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic is celebrating 41 years as a registered educational charity helping lakeside children stay in school and get a higher education. The event, Thursday, November 29, 3 p.m., at La Nueva Posada, features live music by Mariachi Tito Hinojosa, snacks, a cash bar and birthday cake. To join in the fun and give back to your community, RSVP by Wednesday, November 22, 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..
Dance fundraiser
A Christmas dance festival to raise funds for the orphanage in Cedros (near Ixtlahuacan) is scheduled Friday, November 30, 5 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera. A number of dance styles will be presented by various groups and individuals, including belly dancing, Polynesian, classical ballet and more. Tickets are 150 pesos at the door. Proceeds help the orphanage provide food and other necessities for the children.
British luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, December 1, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
With the holidays just around the corner, Rosemary Woodruff and Helen Gallagher have prepared a special Christmas Trivia.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or vegetable soup; turkey with all the trimmings or a large salad with protein. Dessert is chocolate mousse. 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, 766-1742 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Race for Love in Action
The Love in Action children’s home in Colonia Las Redes in Chapala will benefit from a fundraising race, Sunday, December 2, starting 8:30 a.m. at the Vela (sail) sculpture on the Chapala Malecon. The courses are five and ten kilometers and walkers are welcome.
Love in Action currently hosts 20 Lakeside area children ranging from one to 18 years of age. Sometimes, however, they have as many as six children in the four homes they manage, each with their own houseparents.
The group provides holistic care to abandoned, abused and orphaned children, who are placed by Mexican government authorities. The caregivers bath, clothe and feed the children, provide medical and dental care, vocational and educational programs, psychological support through group and individual therapy, and spiritual support through prayer. Find out more at loveinactioncenter.org.
Registration for the race is at Clinica Ibarra, Calle Miguel Martinez 530-532 in Chapala or on the day of the event, from 7 a.m. Cost is 150 pesos adults; 50 pesos children.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society offers bus trips to various metro area locations throughout next month: Andares Mall, Wednesday, December 5; Tonala, Tuesday, December 11; Galerias Mall/Costco, Monday, December 17; Tlaquepaque Forum Mall/Home Depot, Thursday, December 27.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and to learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members.
LCS Mexico courses
LCS offers the following classes to its members: Piñata making, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 4 and 5; Mexico’s Traditional Fermented Beverage, Thursday, December 6; Revolutionary women in modern Mexican history, December 10, 12 and 13 and Negotiating Paradise, December 10, 12 and 13.
Sign up and check course details, times and the cost for each course at the LCS.
Shriners dine to help kids
The Ajijic Shriner’s Club invites you to dine with them at Hacienda Don Pedro, Thursday, December 6, 2 to 7 p.m. All funds from the meal go to the club’s transportation fund to help children get to the Shriners Hospital in Mexico City. The cost is 300 pesos per person. Tickets available at the door.
School for special children
An auction/fashion show to benefit the School for Special Children in Jocotepec will be held Thursday, December 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Restaurant Las Caballerizas Coxala, in the Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala.
“Show till you drop!” say organizers, who have lined up an auction fashion show, a silent auction and a clothing store, as well as a luncheon.
Tickets, 300 pesos, are available at Casi Nuevo, Diane Pearl and Mia’s Boutique. For table reservations, contact Wendy Petersen, 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 Holiday Bash
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a Holiday Bash on the grounds of LCS, Friday, December 7, 3 to 7 p.m. Dance the night away to music by the Crooners. Enjoy a traditional turkey dinner catered by Janelle’s Restaurant & Bar (formerly Roberto’s) featuring all the holiday favorites. A cash bar is available. Tickets for the dinner are 370 pesos and available at Diane Pearl, LCS and Janelle’s Restaurant.
CASA
More than 40 gourmands attended this month’s meeting of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) November 19 at the Hotel Montecarlo in Chapala.
Janet Jorch took first place and the presentation award for her Banana Split Trifle in the dessert category and also won a BING award for three first places in 2018. Laure Hilden took first place, the presentation award and the people’s choice award in the squash main dish category for her galette of butternut squash with caramelized onions and Gruyere. Second place in the main dish category went to Tracy Reuter and third place to Larry Youell. In the soaked sponge dessert category, second place and people’s choice awards went to Judith Greenberg and Patti Taylor took third place in a tie with Geanie Tilley.
Next month’s meeting is December 17 and the categories are holiday party botanas and holiday desserts. Information: ajijiccasa.org.
Hanukkah
The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation celebrates Hanukkah with food, friends and games at Gosha’s Restaurant Sunday, December 9, 5:30 p.m. RSVP at Diane Pearl by November 30.
Information: LakeChapalaJewishCongregation.com.
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.
Wednesday, November 28, 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 “Generosity and Ethics.”
The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic.
Models shine at Cugini Fashion Show
The November 14 Cugini Fashion Show in support of Niños Incapacitados was a festive affair, with close to 270 people braving a chilly day by the lake at the Hotel Real de Chapala. Fashions designed primarily by Lynn Gilbank and jewelry by Barbara Passarella were inventive and beautifully displayed by vibrant local models who grooved to the beat of music from the 60s to today. Models included (from left) Marilyn Goder Morris, Lupita Campbell and Georgette Richmond, among others. Generously sponsored by Dr. Ben Villaran, a certified plastic surgeon, and the Real de Chapala Hotel, the event raised enough funds to pay the medical costs of the organization’s sick children for two weeks. Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated.