Population control
Spay-Ghetti No Balls, a fundraiser for the Jocotepec spay and neuter clinic, is held Saturday, January 25, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala.
The event features an all-you-can-eat spayghetti dinner, live music, an auction, prizes and a cash bar. Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, It’s Kinda Bazaar in Riberas del Pilar or at the Raquet Club office. 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..
Open Circle
Phil Rylett presents, “What are you? And why you won’t believe it,” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
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WHAT are you? It is something we rarely think about. We are much more concerned with WHO we are. Our identity defines our differences. I am not you. You are not me. But if you knew WHAT you are, would those differences start to crumble? Would you see yourself differently? And your relationship to all life, our planet, and beyond? How we got here tells us quite a bit about where we are going. Take a humorous trip back in time and space and let’s just see how you got here and what it means for your daily life today – nutrition, health, sex, relationships, love, etc. There’s a lot going on under the hood. Let’s find out what it all means.
Rylett is a native of England. Careers in pharmacology, nursing and computer science define what he did. But what is he? Well, all will be revealed during the presentation.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum group meets the last Monday of every month at the Church of the Latter-Day Saints from 1 to 3 p.m.
The next meeting is January 27, when the program will be, “My Grandmother’s Secrets: A Case Study Using ancestry.com DNA Tools to Uncover Relationships,” presented by Peggy DuFon. She will demonstrate how ancestry tools – including ethnicity estimates, shared DNA matches, thru lines, filters (trees, common ancestors, groups), searching, and tree-building, in conjunction with Newspapers.com and Y-DNA results – were used to determine both relationship and lack of relationship. Collaboration with DNA matches was also a crucial part of solving the puzzle, and the use of collaborative tools including messaging, tree-sharing, and DNA sharing will also be shown. Finally, she will present her reflections on the use of DNA to uncover relationships as it pertains to research pitfalls, dealing with truth, ethical questions, the effect of discovering these secrets on her relationships, and what she learned that will help her in future research.
Everyone is welcome with any level of experience. There are no dues. The Church is located diagonally from Mom’s Restaurant and across the street, west from Orma Autoparts. For more information and questions, call Phyl, 376-766-2722.
Shifting Global Power
A recording of the Chautauqua Institution lecture given last year by Robin Wright, a contributing writer to The New Yorker and a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, will be shown at the Lake Chapala Society, Monday, January 27, 3 p.m.
Wright, who has reported on every war, revolution and uprising in the Middle East since 1973, as well as conflicts in other regions, will speak on “Shifting Global Power.”
In this lecture, she suggests that we are going through a transition that is as important and as big as the one we went through 500 years ago. Wright wants to educate people on the “big picture” of this transition, on global power in this age of perpetual disruption. It will bring about enormous changes in globalized 21st-century governance and warfare.
Hosted by Dee Dee Camhi and Fred Harland.
Kundalini Yoga
Feed your soul, awaken your mind, eliminate stress and perfect your posture. Kundalini Yoga is offered every Monday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Centro Cultural de Ajjic. Bring a yoga mat or towel. No experience needed.
TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, January 28, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when futurist Maurice Conti will present “The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI” Open to LCS members only.
What do you get when you give a design tool a digital nervous system? Computers that improve our ability to think and imagine, and robotic systems that come up with (and build) radical new designs for bridges, cars, drones and much more – all by themselves. Take a tour of the Augmented Age with futurist Maurice Conti and preview a time when robots and humans will work side-by-side to accomplish things neither could do alone.
Hosted by Clive Overton.
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 January 28: Doing something nice for others can immediately relieve sensations of physical and mental pain, says new study; Elon Musk says he’ll put a million people on Mars by 2050; Single-use plastic: China to ban bags and other items.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
Bridge lessons
Catherine Gonzales holds supervised bridge lessons at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club every Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, email her 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..
Personal enhancement
A personal enhancement workshop, presented by Dr. Daniel Acuff, Ph.D., will be offered every Wednesday at the Lake Chapala Society, beginning January 29. Participants will explore a variety of issues germane to what it means to be alive and inquisitive, wanting even more insight, growth, health and happiness. Free to LCS members.
For info and registration: 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..
Birders
Wednesday, January 29, the Lakeside Birders will meet at 8 a.m. behind Black Coffee to carpool, leaving immediately for the Cajititlan March (a 30-minute drive).
Expect to see a variety of marsh and lake birds such as black-necked stilt, snowy egret, and perhaps American avocet. At about 10:15 a.m. the group will go to La Palapa de Don Juan restaurant in Chapala for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
If you plan on going, email John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days ahead of time and indicate whether or not you can bring a car.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Street Spanish with Alfredo Pérez. Learn how the locals communicate among themselves. Thursday, January 30, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Mexican Manners 2 with Alfredo Pérez. Learn the interpretations of manners that will make living easier in Lakeside. Friday, January 31, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Mexican Salsas, with Ana Moreno. She takes you by the hand to buy the necessary ingredients to make some sauces; explains how Mexican uses them and what food you can dress with them. Thursday, February 6, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Corn Tortillas with Ana Moreno. Prepare corn tortillas from scratch, as well as tlacoyos, huaraches, sopes, pellizcadas, and other homemade delicacies,” including the fillings, side dishes and traditional sauces that accompany them. Learn from their history why they are so important to the local culture. Friday, February 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 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, February 13, 9 a.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
U.S. voter registration
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico has begun its non-partisan voter registration support to Lakeside residents who wish to vote absentee in their state primaries and the November election. U.S. citizens and dual Mexican-American citizens who will not be in the United States this year to vote, are encouraged to register and request their absentee ballots online at VoteFromAbroad.org as soon as possible to be sure their votes will be counted. This website assists applicants in completing the federal forms online and in submitting these forms by email to their local election officials.
For those needing assistance, Lake Chapala Chapter volunteers will be available every Thursday, January 30 to February 27, noon to 2 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic on the patio under the blue umbrellas.
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..
• January 30, Google photos advanced.
• February 6, Cell phones in Mexico
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything tech.
Meet the children
Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago invites you to meet some of the many children impacted by the help they have received by donations to this lakeside charity.
Hear their stories Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. in the Eucalyptus Room of the Hotel Real de Chapala.
Niños Incapacitados reimburses medical, physical and pharmaceutical expenses for Mexican children.
Information: programaninos.com.
Benefit rummage sale
A rummage sale is being organized as a fund-raiser to help cover medical bills for local neurosurgeon Gabriel Varela who is battling a life-threatening illness. The sale of household items and other goods will be held Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Calle San Luis 200 in Riberas del Pilar, located cattycorner from the Pemex service station.
Super Bowl Sunday
American Legion Post 7 is the place to be in Chapala Sunday, February 2. The noshing begins with hamburgers and hot dogs from noon to 3 p.m. Then, from 4 p.m. to the game’s end, the menu is chili, hot dogs, chili dogs and pulled pork with coleslaw and a pickle.
There will be smoking and non-smoking sections, two big flat-screen TVs, free popcorn, a football pool and happy hour prices from 3 p.m. to closing. Pre-game coverage starts at 2 p.m. and kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.
In Ajijic, Maria Isabel Restaurant and Bar on the malecon puts on an all-you-can-eat game-day buffet with wings, BBQ ribs, fries, onion rings, coleslaw and a nacho bar for 200 pesos. Reserve at 376-766-5157. They boast multiple large flat-screen TVs.
Beginning Spanish
This class is designed for Lake Chapala Society members with no Spanish-language background. Learn Spanish pronunciation, some vocabulary and social protocols. Tuesdays, February 4, 11 and 18, noon to 1:30 p.m. Register at the LCS office or via the LCS website.
LCS bus trips
On Thursday, February 6, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Bed Bath and Beyond and the City Market in Guadalajara’s Plaza Patria mall.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure time and cost of the trip. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com.
Tai Chi
Longtime local martial arts master Cindy Paul begins Qigong/Tai Chi classes Friday, February 7 at the Drishti Center, Calle Allen W. Lloyd 152 (just before the entrance to El Parque) in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The gentle workout sessions will be held every Friday, 3 to 4 p.m. 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..
Conexiones entre amigos
The next meeting of this monthly networking event hosted by the Lake Chapala Society will feature an Expat Info Fair. The date: Thursday, February 13, noon to 3 p.m. at LCS. Free entrance.
Jaltepec open house
Centro Educativo Jaltepec, a technical university in hotel and hospitality management, will hold an open house Monday, February 17, 11 a.m., with a presentation on the history of the institute.
Light refreshments will be served prior to 11 a.m. A tour of the facility will follow and then a complimentary lunch, prepared and served by the students, will provide an understanding of the quality of education the students receive. Seating is limited to 60 guests.
RSVP: Linda Buckthorp, 376-766-1631, 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 (HOA) meditation center offers meditation sessions Sunday at 9 a.m., Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m. All are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation. A yoga class is offered on Thursdays from 9 to 10:45 a.m.
DaeJa Napier, senior teacher in the Vipassana/Insight meditation tradition, will offer a Dharma talk on Wednesday, February 19, the opportunity for individual meetings on Thursday, February 20 and a non-residential weekend retreat at The Heart of Awareness February 21 to February 23.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101. Information: heartofawareness.org.