Open Circle
Jan Miller presents “What If What You Believe about Yourself – Isn’t True” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, February 23, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society.
“You’re so smart” – “cute” – “shy.” Or “boisterous” – or “trouble.” All our lives we are defined and labeled. We live our lives according to these labels that others have pinned on us. What if we create a different version of ourselves? Who would we be? What would our life be like? We can empower ourselves to be who we want to be. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.
Jan Miller, a three-time author, was a sign-language interpreter for 20 years. She then went on to private practice offering seminars, counseling and motivational talks to individuals and corporations. Her books reflect her philosophy that each of us does the best we can with the choices we make but we all have more potential for change than we realize. Miller lives in Verona, Ontario, Canada, with her husband Dick.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Mardi Gras
• Gossip’s Restaurant offers a special Fat Tuesday menu February 25 and is offering a dinner-for-two and a bottle of wine for the best Carnaval costumed dinners that evening. Seatings are at 4 and 7 p.m. Reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 376-766-0217.
• Domenech will celebrate Mardi Gras with an all-you-can-eat buffet with Cajun specialties. Call 333-507-7525 for reservations.
• American Legion Post 7 Ladies Auxiliary presents its 2020 Mardi Gras party 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.
LCS bus trips
Thursday, February 27, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to the Guadalajara Zoo, and on Thursday, March 12 to Tlaquepaque.
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.
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.
Lake Chapala Birders
Friday, February 28, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet 8 a.m. at Donas Donuts to carpool, leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake (a 60-minute drive). Expect to see wood storks and possibly a white-tailed hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12:30 lunch break. Return to Ajijic is about 3 p.m.
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 for car pool planning.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Poco a Poco garage sale
FoodShare, a program of Poco a Poco, is having a grand benefit garage sale Friday, February 28 and Saturday, February 29, beginning 9 a.m. at Calle Manglar 153 in Villa Nova in west Ajijic.
FoodShare currently provides monthly disbursements of food and staples to 55 economically challenged families in San Pedro Itzican, as well as to 49 patients suffering renal failure problems. The program also funds and supports a kitchen which provides after-school meals for an average of 40 hungry children Monday to Friday.
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.
Democrats Abroad
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad will kick off its 8th Annual Film Festival Sunday, March 1, at the Cinemagic Theater in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic.
Nine films are included in the 2020 not-for-profit series, which will be shown every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on topics covering humanitarian and environmental issues and U.S. politics.
The first film, “Bombshell,” portrays the women who brought down Roger Ailes – the creator of the Fox media empire. Films to follow will be, respectively: “The Panama Papers” about the largest global corruption scandal in history; “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” with Tom Hanks playing Mr. Rodgers; “Official Secrets” based on a British intelligence specialist unexpectedly embroiled in the leadup to the Iraq War; “Women at War” about a passionate environmental activist; “The Laundromat” with Meryl Steep as an investigator immersed in questionable dealing; “Merchants of Doubt” concerning a secretive group of pundits-for-hire; “Parasite,” the first foreign film to win an Oscar for Best Picture; and “The Great Hack” about the dark world of data exploitation.
Proceeds from the 100-peso ticket price will be used to support the chapter’s non-partisan absentee voter registration at Lakeside.
To find out more about the chapter’s local interests and activities, write to 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
There will not be a 9 a.m. Sunday practice period at the Heart of Awareness on February 23 due to the retreat in progress. Other opportunities for silent meditation are on Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m., and Thursday at 11 a.m. All activities are open to the public and no experience is required. Chairs and cushions are provided and written instructions are available for beginners. There is no fee for the regular practice periods.
A yoga class suitable for students at all levels is offered Thursdays from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Mats and blocks are provided.
Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and heartofawareness.org. The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Mexican Corn Husk Dolls with Genaro Reyes, a series of two 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 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.