Open Circle
David Pisarra will present “The High Cost of Doing Nothing” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, December 30, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Doing nothing, killing time, chilling out. It all sounds so relaxing, but it comes with a price. Each week we can take small steps to accomplish our goals. In this inspirational speech, the lesson of regular progress is reinforced.
Pisarra is an international speaker who travels the world to motivate the meek, inspire the idle and empower the fearful.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
New Year’s Eve fete
Looking for a place to ring in 2019 with a bang? The Chapala government will once again host a New Year’s Eve bash, set for Monday, December 31, 10 p.m., at the waterfront Malecón.
The party starts with two hours of music for dancing under the stars, followed by a glittery fireworks show over the lake blasting off at the stroke of Midnight.
The celebration is open to the public free of charge. It’s a bring-your-own-everything event, with many folks coming early to set up their own portable tables and chairs and carry in food and drinks of choice to enhance the fun.
TED Talks
Ted Talks are on hold during the holidays and restart Tuesday, January 8.
The Lake Chapala Society offers its members a variety of courses in January to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.LCS courses on Mexico
A course on Dia de Reyes (Three King’s Day) is Monday, January 7, 10 a.m. to noon; Mexico Hot Cocktails and how they are made is Tuesday, January 8, 2 to 4 p.m.; Coming Home, with Judy King, runs from January 9 to February 13, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Children of Corn is January 9 to 24, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Understanding Mexican Law with Maria de las Nieves Sobles is January 11 to February 8, Fridays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Mexican Winter Fruits, January 18, 10 a.m. to noon; Mexican Chilis and Salsas with Ana Moreno, January 22, 1 to 3 p.m.
Spanish at LCS
Sign up now for the seven-week Warren Hardy Spanish classes January 7 to February 25. Introduction to Spanish is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning January 8. Mexican Street Spanish with Alfredo Perez, January 14, 10 a.m. to noon. (An intermediate Spanish level is needed for this class.) These classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
Tarahumara Project
Libby Townsend continues to collect donations for her Tarahumara Project’s annual yard sale coming up in January. (Date to be announced soon.)
Donations can be dropped off at the Guadalajara Reporter office at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic, or one can arrange to have items picked up. Call (376) 766-3338 or email Townsend at 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 trips
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) offers a bus trip to downtown Guadalajara for a self-guided walking tour of the historic sites, Wednesday, January 9.
Admire centuries-old architecture and stunning murals and artwork at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, people watch in the plazas and have lunch in Plaza de los Laureles in front of the Cathedral or fine dining at the Hotel Mendoza or other eateries in the area.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members.
Eat fish, help dogs
Enjoy a catfish fry, Thursday, January 10, 5 to 8 p.m. at Southern Sisters Restaurant, in West Ajijic.
The menu is catfish, hushpuppies, sides, desserts and a cash bar. A raffle, sales table and silent auction will round out this fundraiser for The Ranch, a dog rescue center.
Donations are appreciated, including towels, collars, leashes and canned dog food.
Reservations: (376) 766-4738, 333-958-3385.
For newbies
The Lake Chapala Society offers a four-hour course, “Introduction to Lakeside,” Thursday, January 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for LCS members only.
Learn all the basics: banking, shopping, restaurants, medical, getting around, entertainment, recreation, housing, communities and culture. Sign up at the LCS office.
Creative writing
Fred Aceves will give a one-day creative writing workshop Saturday, January 12 in the Chapala area.
Aceves’ debut novel published by Harper Collins, “The Closest I’ve Come,” was a 2017 Kirkus Best Book.
This workshop will focus on structure, characterization, description, dialogue, point of view and voice.
Burns Supper
Niños Incapacitados will hold its usually sold-out Robbie Burns Supper benefit Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Hotel Real de Chapala.
A celebration of Scotland’s most famous bard, the event includes cocktails and dancing in the patio area and dinner in the Eucalyptus room. Tributes, toasts and singing, kilt-wearing bagpipers and Scottish country dancing precede a new dinner menu, plus a bit of the haggis and a wee dram of scotch.
For tickets, contact Jerry Croucher at (376)766-2036, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or order online at www.programaninos.com. Tickets can be picked up and paid for at The Spotlight Club daily from 2 to 5 p.m.
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, January 2, the regular meditation period, 4 to 4:45 p.m., will be followed by a video talk by Frank Ostaseski titled “Inviting the Wisdom of Death into Life.” Ostaseski is a Buddhist teacher, international lecturer and the author of “The Five Invitations.” A discussion period follows the video.
Registration is now open for a two-part workshop with Loretta Downs, titled “Making Friends with Death,” offered on Saturdays, January 12 and 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. Register in advance at heartofawareness.org, by email (contact@heart ofawareness.org), or in person at the meditation center. More information is available on the website.
The center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.