Late night rides
Help promote bicycle culture in Chapala by joining Rodada Vespertina late night group bike rides each Tuesday, leaving from Black Coffee (in front of WalMart) at 6:45 p.m. heading to Parque de la Cristiania and returning about 9:15 to Ajijic.
Open Circle
Loretta Downs presents “The Art of Keeping Vigil” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 27, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
In our modern world, loved ones often live far apart. The frail among us are moved to long term care institutions. The unprepared die in hospitals. Consequently, few of us experience the gift of meaningful presence while dying. Learn about the social significance of this sacred ritual and the benefits it provides long after a death. Downs will share creative ideas for manifesting this final gift of love and compassion, whether near or far away.
Downs has a Master’s Degree in gerontology. She is past-president of the Chicago End-of-Life Care Coalition and is a Certified Senior Advisor, Advance Care Planning Facilitator and Death Doula. She’s been a companion to the dying for 30 years and created the Chrysalis Room concept for nursing homes and hospitals to provide private rooms for loved ones keeping vigil with the dying. She raises Monarch butterflies in the summer.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Lakeside Genealogy Forum
The topic for the Lakeside Genealogy Forum Monday, January 28, 1 p.m. will be Cyndi’s List and FamilySearch Wiki. Both are resources genealogists too often forget about and the amount of information they contain is staggering.
The Genealogy Forum is open to all. There are no dues. Whether you are just starting to research your family tree or you are an experienced genealogist, The Forum will have something for you.Marci Bowman will discuss why you want to use these sites, what you might expect to find. She has some hints and tips on using these two valuable sources. The Genealogy Forum meets at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar.
TED Talks
Susan Pinker presents “The secret to living longer, supplemented by Alanna Shaikh: How I am preparing to get Alzheimers” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, January 29, noon to 1:30 p.m.
We all want to live longer and many of us are modifying our lifestyles to make it more likely – but are we on the right track?
For LCS members only.
LCS Tech Support
A tech expert will be available to help LCS members with questions and issues with tech devices each Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Sala.
Members are encouraged to bring their phones, tablets and laptops so that questions can be solved. Also on Thursdays, specific tech classes are given: January 31, iPhone/iPad Basics and Q&A; February 7, keeping in touch with loved ones for free; February 21, tech in Lakeside, and February 28, an overview of all free Google apps. Bring your questions and we will try to solve them.
To register send an email with your LCS membership number 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..
LCS courses on Mexico
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) offers its members a variety of courses in February to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.
- Mexican hot cocktails, Friday, February 8, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Mexican corn tortilla and other dishes with corn, Tuesday, February 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Discover Mexican manners, Wednesday, February 20, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Street Spanish, Thursday, February 28, 10 a.m. to noon.
Lake Chapala Birders
Monday, January 28, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet at 8 a.m. at Donas Donuts in Ajijic to carpool and leave immediately for the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake (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 2:30 p.m., depending on traffic.
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.
Legion Chili Cookoff
American Legion Post 7 Auxiliary invites one and all (cooks, judges, friends and neighbors) to its annual Chili Cookoff on Thursday, January 31. Cocktails are at 3 p.m. (Happy Hour prices); Dinner at 4 p.m. and the winners announced at 5:30 p.m. Cost is 100 pesos for three chili samples or one jumbo beef hotdog and one chili sample plus condiments and dessert (1/2 price for chili cooks). Also available is vanilla ice cream for a chocolate sundae or Coke float.
Tickets are available at the Legion before the event or at the door. Enjoy a goodies raffle, horse races and wheel of fortune games. American Legion Post 7, Morelos 114, Chapala. Information: 331-942-6888, 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..
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Kids that need help
Meet the children supported by the Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago and hear their stories, Thursday, January 31, 10 a.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala Eucalyptus room. This organization takes care of Lakeside kids that really need your support. Information: programaninos.com.
Kite fest
The 3rd Annual Festival de Papalote (kite festival) will be held on the Ajijic malecon Friday to Sunday, February 1 to 3, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy workshops, live music, performance artists and an exposition of food, crafts and design.
Trivia Quiz 11
The annual Trivia Quiz fundraiser for Niños Incapacitados celebrates its 11th year Tuesday, February 5 at the Hotel Real de Chapala. There is still room to get your eight-person team together and have a great time. Many teams decorate their tables with a theme and dress up in costumes accordingly.
There are two Trivia Quiz sessions, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and participation fees per person are 350 and 400 pesos respectively. To find out what it’s all about, stop in to the Trivia Event table at the Lake Chapala Society, January 29 and 30. For tickets, contact Linda at (376) 106-1281, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or order online at programaninos.com.
Orphanage fundraiser
An Affair of the Heart, the fifth annual fund raiser for Villa Infantil, a home for abused, abandoned and orphaned children, is Saturday, February 9, 12:30 p.m. at La Huerta Eventos.
The event includes music and dancing courtesy of the children, a lunch of fresh salads, a cash bar, a 50-50 raffle, and silent and live auctions. A concierge service and professional sound system are employed in this year’s event, which will incorporate a Valentine’s theme.
Villa Infantil is located on the southwest shore of Lake Chapala.
Tickets, 400 pesos (VIP tickets, 1,500 pesos), are available at Diane Pearl and Mia’s Boutique. Table reservations require a minimum of ten guests. Information: villainfantil.com.mx/news.html.
Tarahumara Project
Libby Townsend continues to collect donations for her Tarahumara Project’s annual yard sale to be held Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Donations can be dropped off at the Guadalajara Reporter office at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic, or arrange to have items picked up at (376) 766-3338 or email 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..
Chili Cookoff
Three days of fun, good food, live music, dance and competition for the best chili and salsa and margaritas begin Friday, February 15 at the 41st Mexican National Chili Cookoff held at the Tobolandia Water Park in Ajijic, daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event raises hundreds of thousands of pesos to help eight Lakeside Charities. Information: mexicannational chilicookoff.com.
Jalisco driver’s license
The Lake Chapala Society offers members the opportunity to study for the driver’s exam Monday, February 25, and go to Guadalajara to obtain a new or renewed license on Tuesday, February 26, 7 a.m. Register and find out the fee for the course at the LCS office.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sunday, 9 a.m., Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are brief written instructions on meditation for beginners. There are no fees, but donations are always welcome. Sunday and Thursday, the meditation period is 60 minutes and includes sitting and walking. Wednesday’s “sit” is 45 minutes.
A yoga class suitable for beginners and advanced students, is offered Thursday, 9 to 10:45 a.m.
The center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.