Thrill the World Ajijic
Thrill the World Ajijic 2019 zombie dance performance will be held Saturday, October 26, 5 p.m. on the Ajijic Malecon.
Join the zombies after the dance for a buffet dinner and dancing with music by DJ Phil at Manix Restaurant, 6-8 p.m. The 450-pesos cost includes a 90-peso donation to the Cruz Roja to help shore up their sinking building. Information: facebook/TTWAjijic or ThrillTheWorldAjijic.com.
Artisanal wine
A presentation of artisanal wines and community kitchen dishes will be held Saturday, October 26, 4:30 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala. This is a presentation by the Asociacion de Niños de San Antonio.
Breast cancer run-walk
Rotary Club of Ajijic will be holding its 3rd annual 5k to De-Feet Breast Cancer, Sunday October 27, 8-11 a.m., starting at the Ajijic Plaza. Pets are allowed on the run.
Lend your support to a much needed fund-raiser supporting women with low incomes in the fight against breast cancer.
See the Rotary Ajijic Facebook page to register. If you can’t run or walk the event, sponsor a child participant for 400 pesos on the day of the event. A prize will be awarded for the best Catrina makeup.
Open Circle
Julian Labadie will present “Reconciliation, Reintegration, and Walking the Path Less Traveled” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
There are forces beyond your control that can take away everything you possess, everything except one thing, your freedom to choose how you perceive and how you respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you. Last year Labadie spoke on the impact of trauma on families, friends, and intimate relationships. Join him as he continues the discussion, providing insights and perspectives on the path to heal through a change in perspective and action.
Labadie holds a master’s degree in Counseling and has 40 years of education and experience in treating individuals, families, and relationships affected by profound mental, emotional, and physical illness.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Spanish at LCS
Sign up now for the seven-week Warren Hardy Spanish classes running Monday, October 28 to December 17. Introduction to Spanish is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning November 12. Both classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
Lake Chapala Birders
Monday, October 28, the Lake Chapala Birders meet at Donas Donuts, 8 a.m., leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (90 minutes away).
The group will bird from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 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 your own refreshments for the morning. Return to Ajijic about 5 p.m.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org. If you plan on going, email John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 48 hours ahead of time to plan for the carpool.
TED Talks
Op-ed columnist and author David Brooks presents “The Lies Our Culture Tells Us About What Matters and a Better Way to Live” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, October 29, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
Our society is in the midst of a social crisis, says Brooks: “We’re trapped in a valley of isolation and fragmentation. How do we find our way out?” Based on his travels across the United States — and his meetings with a range of exceptional people known as “weavers” — Brooks lays out his vision for a cultural revolution that empowers us all to lead lives of greater meaning, purpose and joy.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Bingo and chocolate
Every Tuesday, Have Hammers carpentry school holds Bingo Lago, a bingo game fundraiser at the Maria Isabel Restaurant next to the malecon in Ajijic. Bingo cards go on sale at 1 p.m. and the game begins 1:30 p.m. Win prizes, paintings, dinners and woodwork made by the students. A package of ten games costs 200 pesos. The event is dog friendly and there is a smokers’ terrace. Parking available.
Flue shots
Flu shots will be available at The Lake Chapala Society Tuesday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. First come, first served. At press time prices weren’t available. Check the LCS website or facebook page for more information.
Hot Science at LCS
Lake Chapala Society 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 29: Picking the high-hanging fruit: electric aircraft are landing soon; Renewable energy to expand by 50 percent in next five years; Motown to Growtown: Detroit’s urban farming revolution
Presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
Lakeside Singles
Lakeside Singles hosts a get-together Wednesday, October 30, 4 to 6 p.m. at El Sombrero Restaurant (formerly Blue Moon), located next to El BarCo. 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..
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• 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.
• Introduction to Lakeside. Topics include: banking, shopping, medical services, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays, and religious observations. Thursday, November 14, 9 a.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
LCS Haunted House
A spooky cast of characters awaits you for a very scary evening with the Lakeside youth in the 2019 LCS Haunted House Wednesday, October 30 and Thursday, October 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Lake Chapala Society. Fee entrance: 25 pesos per person or 125 pesos per six persons.
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.
Fandango Party
A Fandango party fundraiser to help pay for Ajijic’s Day of the Dead Parade will be held Friday November 1, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ajijic Malecon. A meal of tacos al pastor, a salad bar with vegetarian options and a cash bar will accompany an oral presentation of the Day of the Dead, a ballet folkloric performance and, later, dancing music by Estrella Lunar. Tickets, 250 pesos area available at Manix Restaurant, Diane Pearl, Fenix Real Estate and Wilde’s Dildoria.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society takes a bus trip to to a Day of the Dead festival in Tlaquepaque Friday, November 1. A guided tour is included.
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.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, November 2, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. Ric Connor has prepared a quiz: “Sounds of the World.”
Menu is a small salad, cream of mushroom soup, fish and chips, vegetarian pasta or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon tart. The cost is 180 pesos plus drinks and tip.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Arleen at 376-766-1742 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance.
Visitors welcome.
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..
• November 7: Chromebooks
• November 21: Creating photo books
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything else tech.
Driving permits
The Lake Chapala Society PEP series offers classes to obtain a driver’s license. Sign up for any of the following classes: Monday, November 11, or December 2, 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 November 12, or December 3 at 7 a.m. Cost is 800 pesos.
Starlit Paella fundraiser
The Lakeside Charities Grant Program is holding a fundraiser Starlit Paella multi-course dinner Wednesday, November 13, at Hotel Montecarlo. This program has funded more than 25 local community projects with some 600,000 pesos in the last few years. Tickets, 500 pesos during the month of October, are available via 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..
Garden Guild Floral Show
The Lakeside Garden Guild’s Annual Floral Show is Saturday, November 16, 3-6 p.m. at the 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 will help fund the Guild’s 2020 Community Project. The 2019 project was building the new foot bridges on the Ajijic Malecon.
Tickets, 300 pesos — including a complementary drink and hors d’oeuvres— are available via 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..
LCS wine tasting
Fans of the vine won’t want to miss the Lake Chapala Society’s 4th annual Wine Tasting event Saturday, November 16, 2:30-5:30 pm. Wines from Chile, Argentina, Spain and Mexico will be featured with many varieties available for unlimited tasting and purchase. Live music will entertain you.
This year for the first time LCS is combining wine with the arts. Artists from the Ajijic Society of the Arts will be exhibiting their work during the wine tasting, giving visitors a chance to meet the local artists.
Advance tickets, members: 160 pesos, non-members: 200 pesos are available at the LCS office. Tickets on the day of the event are 250 pesos. Appetizers are included in the ticket price.
Cowboy hoedown
The Ranch dog shelter is hosting a Big Cowboy Hoedown, Sunday, November 17, 3-6 p.m. at a gorgeous upper Ajijic estate. The menu includes roast pig, BBQ chicken, vegetarian options and all the trimmings. Enjoy live music, dancing, a silly selfie area, caricature drawing, and prizes for best dressed cowboy/cowgirl. A valet shuttle bus will take folks to the event. Directions on the back of the ticket. Tickets, 550 pesos, are available at Chocolac Axixic, Lilifher Deli and the Scandinavian Baker.
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. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written instructions on meditation for beginners.
Wednesday, October 30, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein. This week we consider the topic “Signposts.”
Website: heartofawareness.com. The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.