Open Circle
Writer and journalist Alfredo Corchado will present his book “Homelands” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, August 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
The border is not just a geographical place, but a mindset. It’s not a no-man’s land overrun by criminals necessitating a wall to separate us from them. For millions it’s a dynamic, vibrant place surrounded by some of the safest communities anywhere. It’s also a piñata for politicians, whether with regard to demographics or economic integration. Join us for a conversation with Alfredo Corchado, a renowned author and correspondent, about the epicenter of our homelands, the border. Moderated by journalist Angela Kocherga
Corchado is the Mexico-Border correspondent for The Dallas Morning News. He is a Nieman, Woodrow Wilson, Rockefeller, Lannan, USMEX and IOP fellow, and the winner of the Maria Moors Cabot Prize and Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award for Courage in Journalism. He is the author of “Midnight in Mexico” and “Homelands.” All are welcome to a book signing with Corchado in the patio of La Nueva Posada following the presentation.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Lake Chapala Birders
Monday August 12, the Lake Chapala Birders meet 8 a.m. at El Bajio, on the west side of Ajijic. The group will walk down the lane to the lake, expecting to see a good variety of birds in the tall trees and fields. At about 10 a.m. they will head to Fonda Dona Lola’s for breakfast and to complete the bird list. How to get there: From Ajijic go about two miles (three kilometers) west from the light at Colon, turn downhill at the sign for El Bajio next to the multiple speed bumps. Park immediately on the lateral.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Banking explained
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.." class="caption" style="float: right;" width="466" height="267" />Carolina Garcia, who works for Actinver, will discuss banking in Mexico at the Conexiones Entre Amigos meeting Tuesday, August 13, 6 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
TED Talks
Philosopher-comic Emily Levine presents “How I Made Friends with Reality” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, August 13, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only. With her signature wit and wisdom, Levine meets her ultimate challenge as a comedian/philosopher: she makes dying funny. In this personal talk, she takes us on her journey to make friends with reality -- and peace with death. Life is an enormous gift, Levine says: “You enrich it as best you can, and then you give it back.”
Singles
Lakeside Singles will be getting together Wednesday, August 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cocinart Restaurant, located at 16 de Septiembre 4D (just east of Colon) in Ajijic. If you plan to attend, provide the number and names of your guests 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..
Bubba Gump fest
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will hold its annual shrimp fiesta, Thursday, August 15.
Happy hour starts at 1 p.m., followed by a dinner of shrimp, coleslaw, corn, cake and ice cream. The fabulous vocalist Abby will provide the entertainment. A 50/50 drawing will be held. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available in advance at the Legion or at the door. All are welcome.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society takes a bus trip to Costco/Galerias Mall in Guadalajara, Wednesday, August 21.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com/public/bustrip_form.php.
LCS courses
• Learn about Mexican Manners, Thursday, August 22, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Learn about Street Spanish, Wednesday, August 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Take a class to obtain a driver’s license on Monday, August 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the South Campus Board Room. Then go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license on Tuesday, August 27, 7 a.m. with the class.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Fundraiser for Caro
“Help Caro to Walk,” a fundraiser for a young, local woman needing two total hip transplants will be held Thursday, August 29, 5 to 8 p.m. at Adelita’s in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The evening will feature live music, dancing, dinner, a silent auction and more.
Tickets offering a choice of entrees can be purchased before August 23 for 350 pesos at It’s Kinda Bazar in Riberas del Pilar, Diane Pearl in Ajijic and Adelita’s in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Tickets can also be purchased by contacting event organizer Bob Foster via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or from Zuzu, 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..
More about Caro’s emotional and amazing story can be found on the BestofLakeChapala.com website.
Warren Hardy Spanish
Registration is now open for LCS’s popular Warren Hardy Spanish classes designed for adult students, which are held September 2 to October 22. Stop into LCS office or register online at LCS Spanish Classes. Classes’ sessions are an hour and a half and meet two days per week at the Wilkes Education Center (Biblioteca) in Ajijic.
Information: LCS Spanish Classes at the LCS website, or email the Spanish Program Coordinator, Vivian Sternfield at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the LCS office for details at 376-766-1140.
LCS Summer Art Camp
Some 130 local children had a blast at the five-day Lake Chapala Society Summer Art Camp that finished up last Saturday with a sale of their art. Here are some of the budding artists hard at it.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 and all meditation sessions are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written instructions on meditation for beginners.
Periods for silent meditation are on Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m.
The movie matinee series continues every Monday, 3 p.m. August 12 the selection is “Living a Life That Matters, A Tribute to Zen Master Bernie Glassman” (135 minutes). This program from the opening night of the “Buddhafest” in LA earlier this year includes talks, meditation, film, music and more. Learn and benefit from Bernie’s wisdom, compassion and tender humanity as we explore the incredible work of this revolutionary Buddhist teacher. Opening night highlights include a video tribute from actor Jeff Bridges, with film footage of Jeff and Bernie working together while writing their book, “The Dude and The Zen Master.” Admission is free and all are welcome.
Wednesday, August 14, the meditation period will be followed by a talk on “The Whole Elephant” by Trudy Goodman Kornfield. She investigates the importance of learning to integrate/reconcile our Buddhist practice and time spent online. What is our relationship to technology and how does it affect our practice? How do algorithms filter our ability to know and perceive our world and nature directly? Goodman speaks to the importance of mystery and the unknown. We’ll also view Part 1 of a conversation from the festival with Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, and Trudy Goodman Kornfield. The two short videos will be followed by a discussion period.
A yoga class is offered at The Heart of Awareness on Thursdays from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Mats and blocks are provided. In lieu of a fee for the class, the instructors request that participants make a 100-peso donation. Suitable for beginners and advanced students.
For further information on the community and scheduled activities, visit heartofawareness.org, 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..
Upscale funding for Fido
The Ranch, a no-kill dog shelter in Ajijic, needs funds for the more than 80 dogs that reside there. A fund raiser concert/cocktail party will be held Monday, September 2, 5:30 to 8 p.m. rain or shine. This intimate event, located at a private home in upper La Floresta, will feature highly talented local musicians Victor and Ignacio Garcia. Elegant hors d’oeuvres will be served for 45 minutes just prior to the start of the concert, along with a cash bar.
Victor and Ignacio will play for 30 minutes followed by a 20-minute break for more refreshments and more hors d’oeuvres if available. After a second 30-minute performance, guests will be offered a glass of Prosecco and chocolates from Chocolac Axixic to top off the evening.
Tickets, 400 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make other arrangements to purchase your tickets. The exact event location will be printed on your tickets.
LCS tech
LCS basic tech classes are available Thursdays in September, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sign up via 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..
Thursday September 5: YouTube is your friend
Thursday September 19: Cell phones in Mexico
Thursday September 26: Introduction to Facebook