Honored
Fundación Alégrate commemorated International Women’s Day by honoring seven local ladies recognized for outstanding personal accomplishments and contributions to the community. The appreciation ceremony was held Thursday, March 7 at the Centro Cultural González Gallo.
Bargains for pooches
A yard sale/bazaar to raise funds for The Ranch, a no-kill dog shelter in Chapala, will be held Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paseo de la Colina 22 in Upper La Floresta.
Information: (376) 766-0821 or (376) 766-4738
Open Circle
Dr. Michael Hogan will give a talk on “Three women who made a difference in Mexico:
Empress Carlota, Princess Agnes and Mary Todd Lincoln” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 17, 10:30 a.m. to noon on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Come and hear the story of how Charlotte of Belgium became Empress of Mexico, how a circus rider became a princess and a Mexican heroine, and how an ignored American First Lady helped a 24-year-old Mexican envoy restore the Mexican Republic. Based upon research in archival documents, historian Michael Hogan will entertain Open Circle audiences once again with little-known facts and true tales from Mexican history.
Dr. Hogan will be available to personally autograph his books “Abraham Lincoln and Mexico” and “Irish Soldiers of Mexico” at La Nueva Posada after the lecture. The Lincoln book is a special First Edition from Fondo Editorial Universitario of which only 40 copies remain.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad’s 7th Annual Film Festival continues Sunday, March 17,1:30 p.m. at the Cinemagic Theater in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic.
This Sunday’s feature is “Green Book,” which received 16 major nominations in 2019 and won the Oscar for Best Picture.
When a white working-class bouncer is hired to drive a world-class black pianist on a concert tour through the deep South during the 1960s, they must use “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments then safe for African-Americans. Confronted with racism and danger, they are forced to set aside their own differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
Proceeds from the 100-peso ticket price will be used to continue support to non-partisan voter registration at Lakeside.
TED Talks
David Baron presents “You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, March 19, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the LCS Sala. Open to LCS members only.
On August 21, 2017, the moon’s shadow raced from Oregon to South Carolina in what some consider to be the most awe-inspiring spectacle in all of nature: a total solar eclipse. Umbraphile David Baron chases these rare events across the globe, and in this ode to the bliss of seeing the solar corona, he explains why you owe it to yourself to witness one, too.
Hosted by Pete Soderman. For LCS members only.
Cafe Mortality
Darryl Painter and Loretta Downs will host an informal, respectful conversation about dying at their Cafe Mortality, Tuesday, March 19, 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Peacock Garden Restaurant, Colon 8 in Ajijic. Volunteers Debi Buckland and Wendy Jane Carrel support the hosts.
Cafe Mortality encourages an exchange of stories and perspectives as a way to embrace death. There is no agenda and attendees do the sharing. Space is limited to 30 people and reservations are requested. RSVP to Facebook/CafeMortalityAjijic 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.. The donation of 65 pesos toward a coffee or tea goes to Peacock Garden.
Carrel and Downs co-founded the café in January 2018.
Play Euchre?
The Lakeside Euchre Club will hold games in a quasi-tournament style each Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. sharp at the Blue Moon restaurant in Ajijic (next to El BarCo).
This is friendly entertainment with players having a new partner for every game, thus having a chance to meet new people. All players – novices, advanced, singles, couples, etcetera – are invited and if you have never played before, drop in early and they’ll teach you the basics.
The Blue Moon is offering a 200-peso tab for the winner.
Sunset boat cruise
A sunset boat cruise on Lake Chapala to benefit The Ranch no-kill dog shelter will be held Tuesday, March 19. This fun-filled event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and music by Polanco and Steadman.
Boarding begins at 5 p.m. and the boat departs at 5:30 p.m. on the east side of El Bambu Restaurant on Restaurant Row on the Carretera about 1.5 miles before San Juan Cosala. De-board at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets, 550 pesos, are on sale at Diane Pearl. There is free parking on the mountain side of the street.
Lakeside Freethinkers
Do we, as non-believers, have a responsibility to counter religion? Does religion do more harm than good? Are you anti-religion, or just a “live and let live” kind of person? These and other questions will be discussed at the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers, Wednesday, March 20, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. Dinner and additional discussion usually follow.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society offers a bus trip to to Costco and Galerias Mall in Guadalajara Wednesday, March 20.
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.
Goodbye snowbirds
The Great Northern Snowbird Flock-off, a yearly tradition kept running by Patrick Holden, takes place Wednesday, March 20, 4 p.m. at Maria Isabel Restaurant. Come and say adios to your snowbird friends and enjoy a meal with them. 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..
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: March 21, voice control of tech; March 28, streaming TV Lakeside, April 4, keeping your passwords.
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..
Lake Chapala Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders meet Monday, March 25, 8 a.m. at Donas Donuts to car pool, leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (a 90-minute drive).
The group will bird from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., then have lunch in the town of Tapalpa and complete the bird list. Expect to see higher altitude birds such as acorn woodpecker, slate-throated redstart and possibly a trans-volcanic jay. Bring refreshments for the morning. Return to Ajijic about 5 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 and mention if you can help with a vehicle for the carpool. 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..
Shriner’s Rib Fest
The 13th annual Shriners Ribfest, a fundraiser to help sick lakeside children, is set for Wednesday, March 27, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cumbres Jardin Eventos on the top of Chula Vista Norte.
The Ajijic Jam Band will play as you enjoy a succulent BBQ rib dinner prepared by Adelita’s Restaurant. On-site parking at Cumbres or the shuttle service from Black Coffee will get you up to the event.
A silent auction at the Ribfest will have many items.
All the proceeds go to provide physical examination of Lakeside children to determine if they qualify for treatment locally or in Guadalajara, or transportation to the Mexico City Shrine Hospital for orthopedic, burn, cleft lip or cleft palate care or surgery,
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..
Grants available
The day after its Spring Outreach Bazaar, the Outreach Committee of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar announced that it will be accepting applications for April 2019 grants from Lakeside charities (ACs).
Grant application forms should be submitted no later than Friday, March 29. Those needing forms and instructions should 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.. The committee reported that the round of grants is made possible by the success of the Todo Bueno Resale/Consignment store on the Carretera in Riberas.
LCS courses
The LCS offers its members a variety of courses and seminars to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.
• A four-day course on Ajijic’s tradition of paper balloons begins Thursday, March 28, 1-4 p.m.
• Holy Mole, Friday, April 12, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Mexico Traditional Fermented Beverages, Monday, April 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Mexican Chiles and Salsas, Thursday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon.
• Study the course to take your Mexican Driver’s License test, Monday April 29, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and then go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license Tuesday, April 30, 7 a.m.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, 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.
Monday, March 18, the documentary “Bhikkhuni – Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Revolution” will be shown beginning at 3 pm. The Buddha established an order of fully ordained nuns during his lifetime, but it died out across southern Asia a millennia ago, relegating Buddhist nuns in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to second-class status. Three determined women take on the patriarchy by reviving this abandoned Buddhist tradition and becoming the first fully-ordained Theravada Buddhist nuns in their nations’ modern histories. Follow the three as they challenge opposition from monks and governments in this contemporary documentary.
Wednesday, March 20, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from the teachings of Sayadaw U Pandita, a Burmese monk who became renowned as one of the outstanding teachers in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw. The reading will be followed by a discussion period.
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.
CASA
Members of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) worked in pairs at the group’s meeting March 11. The categories were fusion food mashup in both main course and desserts – combinations of elements of different culinary traditions.
Robbin Moore and Monica Molloy took first place and were in a three-way tie for the presentation award for their main dish of red snapper Florida Cuban style; second place, presentation and people’s choice went to Allegra Willis and Jose Melendrez for Vindaloo smoked pork rib tamales with mint chutney; and third place was taken by Roberta Kalan and Carol Van Gorp’s Creamy cajun shrimp enchiladas; the third tie for presentation went to Laure Hilden and Toni Ryan’s grilled chicken teriyaki tacos with pineapple mango salsa.
In the dessert fusion mashup category, Michele Lococo and Tracy Reuter took first place and presentation for green tea and chocolate tarts; Paco Rincon Camara and Pierre Paquette’s red wine chocolate cake with very berry cheesecake took second place and the people’s choice award, and Charlotte Donaldson and Leslie Rogers won third place for Italian cannoli cupcakes.
Wednesday, March 27, CASA will hold its annual awards banquet at Janelle’s Garden Restaurant.
CASA’s next meeting is Monday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. when the categories will be main brunch course and fruit dessert.
The meetings are held at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Chapala.
Information: ajijiccasa.org.