Open Circle
Ken Hunt will present “Scientific and Technological Literacy: A Moral Obligation” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, October 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Global warming. Immunization. Artificial intelligence. Food production. Cloning. Pesticide use. Whether to buy Greenland. These are just a handful of vitally pressing issues whose resolutions are accessible through science. Hard science. Rocket science but not junk science. Actually rocket science is not really that hard either. Since the emergence of science as a tool for thinking at the beginning of the Enlightenment there has been a complete transformation of the planet and the conditions of life for virtually every creature on it. Science is not a matter of politics or opinion. Science is a tool for illuminating the path forward. What happened? How did some of us lose our way?
Hunt is a science nerd. He wants to call our attention to the exquisite beauty and elegance of clear thinking and to urge us back to reason.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Canine race in Atequiza
Dogs and their human companions will take a three-kilometer jaunt at the Canem Carrera Canina scheduled for Sunday, October 13, in Atequiza, a satellite town of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. The walk-jog-running event commences at 9 a.m. in front of the historic theater near the central plaza.
Collateral happenings going on after the race will include a dog jumping competition, 10:30 a.m.; a bulldog and pit-bull conformation show, 11 a.m.; various contests for all breeds, 1 p.m.; a canine costume contest, 3 p.m.; and an exhibition of jumping and weight pulling champions, 4 p.m.
Organizers request that all dogs be kept on leashes or harnesses and muzzled if appropriate to the animal’s temperament. Service dogs and their people are also welcome.
Participants may register on site from 7 to 8:50 a.m. For additional information and advance registration contact Ixtlahuacán Sports Director Chuy Hernández Dávila at Cell 331-246-7511.
Lakeside Pathfinders
Lakeside Pathfinders meet on Tuesday, October 15, 3 p.m. at Manix Restaurant in Ajijic. This is a small but growing group that identifies itself as spiritual but not religious.
John Stokdijk will present the short history of Lakeside Pathfinders and plans for the future. He will also share his personal spiritual journey and attempt to answer any and all questions. For more information, contact 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..
Hot Science at LCS
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members can get the lowdown on new science, technology and medical news, each Tuesday in the LCS Sala, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Topics for October 15: Paralyzed man walks using mind-controlled exoskeleton; ocean cleanup device successfully collects plastic for first time; first meat grown in space lab 248 miles from Earth.
Presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Mexican Tricky Spanish with Alfredo Perez, Tuesday. October 15, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Learn about Mole with Ana Moreno, Thursday, October 17, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Mexican Manners with Alfredo Perez, Thursday, October 24, 10 to 12:30 p.m.
• Learn some of the history and great traditions of Dia de los Muertos and build an altar as well as create a calavera literaria (humorous ode to death) with Alfredo Perez, Wednesday, October 30, 10 to 1 p.m.
• Beginners Gardening at Lakeside with Francisco Nava, Tuesday, November 5, 12, 19 and 26, 1-3 p.m.
• Intro to Creative Writing with Rachel McMillen, Wednesday, November 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2-4 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
TED Talks
Author and Entrepreneur Rob Reid presents “How Synthetic Biology Could Wipe Out Humanity—and How We Can Stop It” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, October 15, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
The world-changing promise of synthetic biology and gene editing has a dark side. In this far-seeing talk, Reid reviews the risks of a world where more and more people have access to the tools and tech needed to create a doomsday bug that could wipe out humanity -- and suggests that it’s time to take this danger seriously.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Dying in Mexico
Palliative care advocate and educator Wendy Jane Carrel presents “Beautiful Dying in Mexico,” featuring tales from a Mexican hospital, a Mexican village and Day of the Dead, on Wednesday, October 16, 2 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala.
Her presentation is based on more than four years’ hands-on experience in Jalisco at a hospital, a hospice and in private homes. Free of charge.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society takes a bus trip to to Costco and Home Depot in Guadalajara Thursday, October 17. On November 1, experience the Day of the Dead festival in Tlaquepaque, including a guided tour.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trip. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com.
Dog-gone event
The Ranch no-kill dog home is holding a fundraiser at Adelitas Bar and Grill in San Antonio Tlayacapan, Thursday, October 17, 5 p.m. A cover charge of 100 pesos includes music, a 50/50 raffle, a sales table and a live auction. Donations of old towels, collars and leashes are needed.
Adelitas will offer special prices on four special meals at this event. Reservations: 376-766-0097.
Yappy Hour
The third annual Yappy Hour, a fundraiser for Tails of Mexico, will also be held Thursday, October 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Janelle’s Garden Restaurant in West Ajijic. Enjoy an appetizer buffet, live music, silent auction and cash bar. This event supports spay-and-neuter program and Bone Voyage, a program to ship local dogs to loving homes north-of-the-border. Tickets, 350 pesos (400 at the door), are available at Janelle’s, Diane Pearl and online at tailsofmexico.weebly.com.
Driving permits
The LCS PEP series offers classes to obtain a driver’s license. Sign up for any of the following classes: October 21, November 11, or December 2, Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the LCS South Campus Board Room. Study the course for getting a license and go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license on October 22, November 12, or December 3 at 7 a.m. Cost is 800 pesos.
Mindfulness course
A new six-week course provides the instruction and practice needed to start daily meditation practice, and to keep it going.
Presented by Richard Clarke, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness course introduces the complete mindfulness practice: breath, body, movement, feelings, thought, and ideas.
The course is based on Clarke’s lifelong spiritual practice. There is no cost. Booklets and study guides will be provided.
The course goes from October 23 to November 27, 2019, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at San Luis 73, Riberas del Pilar. Space is limited. To confirm a space call 376-765-6976 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..
Tech classes at LCS
Michael Goss teaches tech classes Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. for LCS members.
Sign up for classes by email 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..
• October 24: Google Photos
• October 31: Chromebooks
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything else tech.
Lunch, fashion show
Dia de la Catrina, billed as “an afternoon of food, fashion, fun and surprises,” is scheduled Thursday, October 31 at La Nueva Posada Hotel in Ajijic, as a benefit for the Ajijic Society of the Arts.
Included in the 250-peso ticket price are a “Lovely La Petite luncheon,” a fashion show presented by Bohemia Boutique and a catrina mask sale. An open bar will be available.
Doors open at 1 p.m. There will be general seating, so arrive early.
Tickets are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones in Ajijic.
Medical Information Kit
With the help of local medical professionals, the Chapala Cruz Roja has created a Medical Information Kit that could very well save your life.
For a mere 50 pesos, and an hour of your time at a workshop near you, you could go home with a vial of life, refrigerator magnet, wallet card, Lakeside emergency phone numbers and a list of Spanish phrases to use in an emergency.
Red Cross Medical Information Kit Workshops will be held the Lake Chapala Society on October 22, October 23, November 13 and November 14, as well as by request for local social, religious, and neighborhood groups.
Advanced registration is required and the class size is limited. To register for a workshop or to schedule a special workshop for your group, email Colleen Beery, volunteer CR instructor 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..
Breast cancer run-walk
It’s that time of year again! Lend your support to a much needed fundraiser supporting women with low incomes in the fight against breast cancer.
Rotary Club of Ajijic will be holding its 3rd annual 5k to De-Feet Breast Cancer. Proceeds will go to Salvati Guadalajara.
Organizers are planning for at least 500 participants this year. The run/walk takes place Sunday October 27, 8-11 a.m., starting at the Ajijic Plaza.
For registrations, see the Rotary Ajijic Facebook page.
Garden Guild Floral Show
The Lakeside Garden Guild is now selling tickets to its 2019 Annual Floral Show to be held on Saturday, November 16, 3-6 p.m. Tickets are 300 pesos and include a complementary drink and hors d’oeuvres. You can buy tickets from either Barb at 376-766-5452 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Leslie at 376- 766-2274 or 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 show will be held at the beautiful Original Hacienda del Lago on O’Campo and Privada de O’Campo in Ajijic.
Some of the Guild’s beautiful arrangements will be for sale at the show.
The proceeds from the show will go toward the Guild’s 2020 Community Project. The 2019 project was building the new foot bridges on the Ajijic Malecon.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness (HOA) meditation center offers meditation sessions Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m. All are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation.
Wednesday, October 16, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein. This week we consider a topic from the section “What is the path?” titled “Intelligence and progress.”
A yoga class is offered on Thursdays from 9-10:45 am. Mats and blocks are provided. Fees collected (100 pesos) support the meditation center. The class is suitable for students at all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Website: heartofawareness.com. The HOA center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101.