Open Circle
The Compañía de Ópera de Jalisco has delighted Open Circle audiences for the last five years. At the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, February 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), their program will focus on art songs of Latin America and Mexico, some of which will make you shamelessly weep, some of which will make you rejoice, all of which will make you crave more. The Compañía has received multiple awards and has established a name for itself nationally and internationally.
The vocalists are María de Jesús Cárdenas (soprano); Teresa Banderas (mezzosoprano); Chema Lopez (tenor); and Ricardo Lavín (baritone). They will be accompanied by pianist Rodrigo Ibarra and Juan Fernando Magdaleno (violin).
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Lake Chapala Birders
The Great Backyard Birdcount (GBBC) runs from February 14 to February 17. Everyone from beginners to experienced birders are encouraged to dedicate a time and place to observe birds and report the sightings on eBird or the GBBC website, birdcount.org. The results are used to monitor the changes in bird populations.
Monday, February 17, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet 8 a.m. at the “Las Palmas” road on the west side of Ajijic. Expect to see some shore birds, and some birds in the tall trees. At about 10 a.m. they will head to Fonda Dona Lola for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
To get there, drive about two miles west from Calle Colon, look for a bus stop in front of a vivero (plant nursery) with signs to Las Palmas on one side and Hacienda La Cristina on the other. Park between the bus stop and the vivero, leaving space for others to park.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Garage sale
Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center is holding a garage sale and silent auction Saturday, February 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No presales and no early birds, but everything must go. Located two kilometers east of the old train station in Chapala.
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 18 include: Love as a drug: can romance be medically prescribed?; Oh my aching back: Do yoga, tai chi or qigong help?; Breathing may change your mind about free will.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Richard Clarke.
Cafe Mortality
The Cafe Mortality volunteers are hosting a community event Tuesday, February 18 at Danny’s Restaurant, Carretera Oriente 2 in Ajijic.
This is an informal, respectful conversation about dying; a place to hear stories and perspectives. There is no agenda and attendees do the sharing. Space is limited to 30 and reservations are requested. RSVP: Facebook/CafeMortalityAjijic or via 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..
Volunteer hosts are Wendy Jane Carrel, Jane Castleman, Loretta Downs and Darryl Painter.
TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, February 18, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when Yuval Harari presents “We Have Become Gods.”
Harari explains the need for cooperation on the three main threats facing mankind: nuclear war, climate change and social disruption due to AI.
Open to LCS members only. Hosted by Clive Overton.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Mexican Corn Husk Dolls with Genaro Reyes - Series of 2 sessions. Learn the history of Corn Husk Dolls and how to create them with your own hands. Monday and Wednesday, March 2 and 4, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• The Difficult Journey is a simulation of arriving at the Mexico/U.S. border and also preparing a trip to Mexico City. This is not a class, but it is an opportunity to practice your Spanish in a stress-free and friendly environment. Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mexican salsas with Ana Moreno - Learn how some of the favorite Mexican salsas in the region are made, what ingredients you need, how and where to buy them, how Mexicans use them and what food you can dress with them. Monday, March 9, 11 a.m. to 1:30 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, March 12, 9 a.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Democrats Abroad
Two more “Debate Watches” are being organized by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad for the remaining early state encounters in February. The ninth debate will be on Wednesday, February 19, to watch the front running Democratic Presidential Primary candidates speak in Las Vegas, Nevada. The last debate will be aired on Tuesday, February 25, in Charleston, South Carolina. Both Debate Watches will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at El BarCo, located next to the Pemex station in Ajijic, where ample front door parking is available. A 50-peso cover charge will include a free beer, wine, soft drink or margarita, and food will be available for purchase. Invite your friends and come early to get good seats! Everyone is welcome. For more information on Democrats Abroad activities at Lakeside, write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lakeside Freethinkers
At the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers, well-known yoga and meditation teacher Werner Ruzicka will give a presentation on “How to Keep Your Thinking Free” – free of social conditioning and free of conditioned thinking.
Ruzicka is currently teaching yoga in the Casa de Cultura and at the Raquet Club. The event is Wednesday, February 19, 4 p.m. at Casa Linda, Rio Bravo 8 in Ajijic. Dinner and additional discussion usually follow.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
If you would like to attend, or obtain additional information, 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..
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. Register and request your absentee ballots online at VoteFromAbroad.org. 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 most 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 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 20, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Costco and Home Depot on Avenida Lopez Mateos in Guadalajara, and on Thursday, February 27 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.
Mardi Gras
American Legion Post 7 Ladies Auxiliary presents its 2020 Mardi Gras party, Fat Tuesday, February 25 at the post as a benefit for the Chapala Police Department and the Legion. Cocktails begin 2 p.m., dinner 3 p.m. Enjoy Zydeco music, crudités, choice of gumbo or vegetarian lasagna, hushpuppies and bread pudding. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at the Legion.
Tequila tasting
The Lake Chapala Society hosts the fourth 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 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.
Poco a Poco garage sale
FoodShare, a program of Poco a Poco, is having a grand benefit garage sale Friday, February 28 and Sunday, February 29. If you have items they could pick up or items to drop off, text Maggee at 332-622-7686 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..
FoodShare provides monthly food despensas, consisting of staples such as rice and beans, to 55 of the poorest families in San Pedro Itzican. After-school meals are prepared five days a week for an average of 40 children in San Pedro. Monthly despensas are given to 14 families in Mezcala, 20 in San Pedro and seven in Agua Caliente, who are dealing with kidney disease.
To make a donation to help purchase food via PayPal, see pocoapocosanpedro.com. Donations are made to the civil association, Brigada Estatal de Proteccion Civil y Bomberos J. Trinidad Lopez Rivas A.C. Please designate FoodShare.
Genealogy Forum
Genealogy is not only a list of names on a family tree. If we are lucky, it also leads us to the stories and emotions that influenced our ancestors. It often brings to life history and events we have heard of before in a more personal way.
Join Jane Slaton for a presentation on the American Civil War, with letter and diary excerpts she found when searching for information about a family member. Monday, March 2, 1 p.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, in Riberas del Pilar.
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. Information and questions: call Phyl, 376-766-2722.
Insight Meditation
Periods for silent meditation are on Sunday at 9 a.m., Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m., and Thursday at 11 a.m.
DaeJa Napier, senior teacher in the Insight Meditation/Vipassana tradition, will be in residency with The Heart of Awareness (HOA) 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.
Wednesday, February 19, the practice time will be approximately 45 minutes and the overall schedule will be expanded to 6:30 pm to allow time for DaeJa Napier’s dharma talk followed by Q & A.
Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.heartofawareness.org.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.