Go fly a kite
Ajijic’s 4th annual Kite Festival runs Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2 on the Ajijic Malecon. Kite-making workshops start at 3 p.m.; a kite flying contest begins 4 p.m.; live music cranks up at 5 p.m.; and an artisan and gastronomic exposition runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, February 1, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Gary Fish will speak on “Grieving, A Journey into the Unknown.”
Menu is a small salad, carrot and ginger soup, steak pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, or spinach lasagna, or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon sorbet.
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.
Open Circle
David Truly presents “The Lake Chapala Riviera: A Mature Retirement Destination?” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
While Lake Chapala has always been a destination for some retirees, its popularity and recognition over the past decades has resulted in a dramatic increase in home sales and development. While this area has a history of boom and bust, this recent trend suggests the maturation of the area as a retirement destination. Truly’s talk focuses on the cycle of retirement destinations and this area’s position within that cycle, so that we may better understand the various forces shaping its evolution and the issues that affect the long-term sustainability for both the foreign and Mexican communities.
Truly, a former resident of Ajijic, has a PhD in Cultural Geography from the University of South Carolina and has studied this area since 1997. He will offer an overview of not only his own research but the current work of other researchers on this topic.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Benefit rummage sale
A rummage sale, organized as a fund-raiser to help cover medical bills for local neurosurgeon Gabriel Varela, who is battling a life-threatening illness, 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.
Golf tournament
Four new automobiles are prizes for golfers who land a hole-in-one at the Hole in Bowl tournament, Sunday, February 2, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Chula Vista Country Club.
Other activities that will continue until 9 p.m. include sampling gourmet foods, coffee drinks, fine wines and innovative cocktails, looking for good buys on local arts and crafts, and viewing the Super Bowl on the big screen.
The tournament is open for up to 72 contestants, with an inscription fee of 3,500 pesos for adult men and 2,500 pesos for women and minors. General admission for spectators is set at 200 pesos, food and drinks included.
For registrations and further details, visit the Chula Vista Clubhouse, located just off the highway opposite Hospital San Antonio.
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.
Beginning Spanish
This class is designed for Lake Chapala Society members with no Spanish-language background., February 4, 11 and 18, noon to 1:30 p.m. Register at the LCS office or via the LCS website.
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 February 4 include: Can lithium halt progression of Alzheimer’s disease? Researchers’ findings show that may be the case. If a novel was good, would you care if it was created by artificial intelligence? The frequency of intense floods and storms could double in 13 years, studies say.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, February 4, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when Emily Levine presents “How I Made Friends with Reality” 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.”
Hosted by Ron Mullinaux.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Corn Tortillas with Ana Moreno. Prepare corn tortillas from scratch, as well as tlacoyos, huaraches, sopes, pellizcadas, and the fillings, side dishes and traditional sauces that accompany them. Friday, February 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Mexican Manners with Alfredo Perez. Learn about behavior, punctuality, tipping, body language and more. Tuesday, February 11, 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 continues its non-partisan voter registration support to Lakeside residents who wish to vote absentee in their state primaries and the November election. Citizens are encouraged to register and request their absentee ballots online at VoteFromAbroad.org, which 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, through February 27, noon to 2 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic on the patio under the blue umbrellas.
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..
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..
• February 6, Cell phones in Mexico
• February 20, Streaming TV
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything tech.
LCS bus trips
Thursday, February 6, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Bed Bath and Beyond and the City Market in Guadalajara’s Plaza Patria mall. February 20 the trip is to Costco and Home Depot on Avenida Lopez Mateos, and February 27 the bus heads to the Guadalajara Zoo.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure time and cost of the trips. 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.
Rotary Club Ajijic
The Rotary Club of Ajijic is holding a Valentine’s Day dinner-dance and art auction as their fifth annual fundraiser to support community projects, Friday, February 14, 6 to 11 p.m. at the Hotel Tapatio in Guadalajara. Tickets, 600 pesos, area available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chapala Med in Plaza Interlago in the Libramiento or from any of their members.
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..
Tequila tasting
The Lake Chapala Lake Chapala Society hosts the fouth Annual Tequila Tasting Friday, February 28, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Experience over 30 different types of tequila with complimentary appetizers. All the brands there will be available for purchase by cash or credit card. Tickets available at LCS for 200 pesos in advance and 250 pesos at the door
Insight Meditation
DaeJa Napier, senior teacher in the Insight Meditation/Vipassana tradition will be in residency with The Heart of Awareness February 19-23. “Living in the Heart of Awareness” will be the theme of her teachings.
Napier will offer a talk following the meditation period Wednesday, February 19, as well as the opportunity for individual meetings that day or Thursday, February 20, and a non-residential weekend retreat at The Heart of Awareness February 21 to 23. Registration is now open for individual meetings and the retreat. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.heartofawareness.org for details about these and other activities.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.
Chili cookoff ready to roll
Everyone loves a parade. And at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, the Chili Cookoff parade will make its way from the Ajijic malecon through town and down the highway to the Tobolandia fairgrounds for fun, food, music, dancing, entertainment … and more food. Want to be in the parade? Call Hector at 331-065-0725. The 42nd Mexican National Chili Cookoff runs Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are still a few openings for contestants for the chili, margarita and salsa contests. To enter competitions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jacque Bourchard at 376-766-4350. The Cookoff is also looking for volunteers. If you want to help out, contact Sandra at 376-765-6329 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 Chili Cookoff raises hundreds of thousands of pesos each year for nine area charities. Information: mexicannationalchilicookoff.com.