CASA
Members of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) went on a tour of Paris without leaving Lakeside at the group’s meeting February 18.
Sally Myers (L) took first place in the French Main Course category for her salmon en croute aux epinards et Pernot avec sauce buerre blanc. Carol Westbrook (R) took the desserts category’s top prize for tarts au poires a la Boudaloue. Michele Lococo won second place and presentation awards and Monica Malloy took third place and people’s choice prizes in the main dish category. Carol Van Gorp took second and presentation and Tracy Reuter took third place in the desserts category.
CASA’s next meeting is Monday, March 11, 3:30 p.m. when the categories will be fusion food mashup (with a partner) both main course and desserts – combinations of elements of different culinary traditions. The meetings are held at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Chapala.
Information: ajijiccasa.org
Sangre Viva fundraiser
An art auction to help fund the 6th annual Festival Cultural Sangre Viva is on Friday, February 22, 4 to 8 p.m. at La Cochera Cultural, Javier Mina 49 in Ajijic.
The auction will include works by Jesus Lopez Vega, Antonio Lopez Vega, Rigoberto Navarro, Javier Malo, Salvador Rodriguez, Alberto Muñoz “Betto Rock,” Jesus Eduardo Lopez and Cithatli RG, among others. The Ensamble Ceiba will give a prehispanic concert at the event. Tickets, 150 pesos, are available at the door.
Pre Lent activities
Ajijic Carnaval festivities continue with jaripeos Sunday, February 24, and daily March 2 through 5, starting around 4 p.m., at the town’s Lienzo Charro bullring located on Calle Revolución, a block south of the Plaza Bugambilias shopping complex. These events are preceded early in the day by Toro de Once parades led by La Sayaca, a band of outlandishly costumed masked dancers, The parades start from the rear entrance of the San Andrés Church on Calle Galeana around 11 a.m., heading from there to the plaza, west on Hidalgo to Seis Esquinas and looping back via Ocampo-Constitución for a last bit of fun inside the bullring.
Open Circle
Phil Rylett presents “A Shot in the Dark” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, February 24, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Vaccines were once heralded as the savior from the scourge of infectious diseases. The worry of once commonplace and devastating diseases could be eliminated by a widespread program of vaccinations. Then why, a couple of generations later, are vaccinations feared and opposed with the same fervor as the diseases they allegedly prevent? Rylett will look at one particular vaccination program that has gained so much notoriety that even the U.S. president has weighed in on the issue. The story might surprise you. Rylett takes a look at the intriguing story behind the scenes of a vaccination that today is mired in controversy.
Rylett has spent his entire career in healthcare, first as a pharmacologist, then as a nurse, and then managing a statewide program for early detection of breast and cervical cancer.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
TED Talks
Kat Rosqueta presents “Amplify the money you give” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, February 26, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the LCS Sala
Rosqueta is the Center Executive Director of The Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP). The Center is the only university-based center with a singular focus on enabling philanthropy to achieve greater social impact. Its multidisciplinary team is at the vanguard of providing rigorous, balanced,and actionable guidance to funders worldwide. Through public information, education, and advisory services, they help donors do more good. Founded a decade ago as a collaboration between the School of Social Policy & Practice and alumni of the Wharton School, CHIP’s team analyzes philanthropic opportunities in a wide-range of causes such as early childhood, child survival, malaria, disaster relief, addiction, hunger, housing, urban blight, and environmental health. CHIP is an authority on measuring and managing social impact, no matter the cause, serving as teachers, coaches, and advisors to current and emerging philanthropic leaders.
Hosted by Fred Harland. For LCS members only.
Lake Chapala Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders meet Monday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. at the Old Train Station in Chapala, leaving immediately to bird the lakeshore road to the Country Club and the pumping station.
Expect to see a good variety of shore birds, such at the black winged stilt in a variety of habitats. At 10 a.m., the group heads to Las Delicias for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
Bird walks are open to all those interested in birds; just bring binoculars. If you need a ride to Chapala, email John Keeling ahead of time. 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..
Genealogy Forum
“Confusing Situations and Unsafe Assumptions” is the topic of the next meeting of the Lakeside Genealogy Forum, Monday, February, 25. Phyl Gaskell will present many areas where change has occurred over the centuries. We might not realize how it impacts our research or our understanding of the results.
The Genealogy Forum meets 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar.
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 Genealogy Forum will have something for you. The group meets the last Monday of the month. Information: (376) 766-2722
Lakeside Singles
A get-together for the Lakeside Singles is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at the Brew House Restaurant in West Ajijic, 4 to 6 p.m. The Brew House offers 14 specialty beers, a varied menu and good wine selections. If you plan to attend, 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..
LCS courses on Mexico
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) offers its members a variety of courses and seminars in February to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.
• Street Spanish, Thursday, February 28, 10 a.m. to noon.
• Mexican fermented beverages, Thursday, March 7, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Coming home: Real stories of Mexican migrants, by Judy King, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 and 10.
• Don’t get ripped off building or remodeling your house, by Architect Marcos Fuentes, Tuesdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., March 5, 12, 19 and 26.
• Children of corn: food in Mexican culture and cuisine, by Eleonora Santini, Mondays and Thursday, 2:30 to 4 p.m., March 4, 7, 11, 14, 21 and 25.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society offers bus trips to the Guadalajara Zoo Thursday, February 28, and on Wednesday, March 6, LCS takes serious shoppers to Bed Bath and Beyond and World Market.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members. Registration and payment can now be made online.
LCS Tech Support
A tech expert will be available to help LCS members with questions and issues with tech devices each Thursday, noon to 2 p.m. on the Neill James Patio at a walk-up desk.
Members are encouraged to bring their phones, tablets and laptops so that issues can be solved. Also on Thursdays, specific tech classes are given: February 28, an overview of all free Google apps; March 7, Android basics; March 21, voice control of tech; March 28, streaming TV Lakeside.
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 tequila
The Lake Chapala Society holds its third annual Tequila Tasting event Saturday, March 2, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Experience more than 30 types of tequila with unlimited tastings and complimentary appetizers throughout the afternoon. Two catas (instructive tastings) will be held during the event: at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. These are private tastings with limited seating (costing an additional 100 pesos per person).
Advance tickets for the event, 175 pesos for members, 210 pesos for non-members, are available at the LCS office. Tickets on the day of the event are 215 pesos. Information: Kathleen McLennan, (376) 766-1173.
British luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, March 2, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
The speaker for this meeting is British Vice Consul Rita Felton.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or cream of broccoli soup, brisket, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gray or fish fillet in white wine, mushroom and black olive sauce with rice or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon meringue pie.
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, (376) 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.
Post-Life Planning
“Get It Done: A Free Dying and Death Workshop” for the entire Lakeside community will be held two Wednesdays, March 13 and March 20, 4:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 7 Chapala.
Susana Greenberg, a recently retired geriatric nurse practitioner specializing in palliative and hospice care, and Elizabeth Katz, who did hospice work in a non-medical capacity, will present the program. Do not register unless you can commit to both dates. Information and RSVP: 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..
Noche Mexicana
Thursday, March 14, the Hotel Real de Chapala will be the setting for a night celebrating Mexican traditions in support of the children helped by Niños Incapacitados. This annual gala fiesta will include live music and entertainment, a complementary bubbly and margarita reception and both live and silent auctions.
The fun goes from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are available from Donna Arthurs, 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..
Shriner’s Rib Fest
One of Lakeside’s favorite top-of-the-world events, the 13th annual Shriners Ribfest, is a fundraiser to help local children whom the Ajijic Shriners send to burn hospitals in Mexico City and Texas. The Ajijic Jam Band will keep your dancing shoes moving before and after you enjoy a succulent BBQ rib dinner prepared by Adelita’s Restaurant.
This event has the best views of Lake Chapala by far, held at the Cumbres Jardin Eventos on the top of Chula Vista Norte. The fun is March 27, 1 to 5 p.m. On-site parking at Cumbres or the shuttle service from Black Coffee will get you up to the event.
Tickets, 600 pesos, are available from any Shriner or contact David Eccles, at 331-017-1724, 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..
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. Chairs and cushions and brief written instructions on meditation for beginners are provided.
Wednesday, February 27, the meditation period will be followed by a video and discussion period. Sharon Salzberg will explore “The Hindrances” – obstacles that arise in our meditation practice – and in our lives – that throw us into confusion: desire, aversion, laziness, restlessness, and doubt. Each of them has its own way of knocking us off the path of practice, and yet, dealing with the Hindrances is the practice.
March 13-16 senior dharma teacher DaeJa Napier will be in residence. She will teach at the regular Wednesday gathering and there will also be an option for private interviews with the teacher. Opportunities to hear the teachings and receive support in the practice will include a daylong retreat on Saturday, March 16 at Cinco Elementos retreat center in La Cristina. Advance registration is required; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
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.