Open Circle
Dr. Todd Stong will present his 17th Annual “State of the Lakeside” address at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society.
In addition to rural village water supply/wastewater treatment, Dr. Stong will define the causes of and identify actions to retard the advance of kidney disease in 2,000-3,000 children in villages east of Chapala. He will soon be conducting briefings of parents in eight to ten village plazas. Jobs, children’s health and adequate safe water (some households receive less than six hours per week), are the key needs of Lakeside’s rural poor. He will also offer his views on the future of Lakeside and Mexico.
Stong’s 27 years in humanitarian service have focused on water-related projects in rural Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As a West Point graduate, Colonel Stong served as a construction engineer for 15 years in Korea, Vietnam, and Germany, followed by 15 years directing research in federal laboratories. He has six engineer sons.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
“Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” will be shown on Sunday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m. as part of the 8th Annual Film Festival at the Cinemagic Theater in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic. Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in a timely tale of kindness triumphing over cynicism. The movie is based on the true story of the friendship of Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. The not-for-profit series sponsored by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad will run every Sunday through April 26. The next movies to run will be: “Official Secrets,” “Women at War,” “The Laundromat,” “Merchants of Doubt,” “Parasite” and “The Great Hack.” Proceeds will support the Chapter’s non-partisan absentee voter registration at Lakeside.
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Lake Chapala Birders
Monday, March 16, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet 8 a.m. to walk the one-mile long Allen Lloyd Trail, which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see stripe-headed sparrow and groove-billed ani and possibly hear the happy wren. At about 10:15 a.m. the group will head to Cafe Negro restaurant for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half-mile from the traffic light at Walmart, and park on the north side of the road across from the El Dorado Condominium tower.
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 March 17 include: low-carb diet may reverse age-related brain deterioration, study finds; Saudis plan big oil output hike, beginning all-out price war; SpaceX’s Elon Musk wants the Space Force to become Star Fleet.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
Stray dogs
A St. Patrick’s Doggone Lucky Fun raiser will be held to benefit Stray Dogs of Mexico, Tuesday, March 17, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rancho San Francisco in San Nicholas de Ibarra, near the Chapala Country Club. Tickets, 325 pesos, are on sale at Diane Pearl and Maskotas Lake Veterinaria.
U.S. notarizations
A U.S. notary public will be available to notarize documents on the LCS campus Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursday, March 19, noon to 2 p.m. Fees are $US35 for the first document and $US25 for each additional document. Payment is in U.S. currency or equivalent amount in pesos. You will be required to make a copy of each document in the LCS office at your expense to provide the notary for his protocol.
Café Mortality
The Cafe Mortality volunteers are hosting a community event Tuesdays, March 17 and April 21, 3 to 4:30 p.m. 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 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, March 17, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when Nick Hanauer presents “The Dirty Secret of Capitalism — and a New Way Forward.” Open to LCS members only.
Is greed good? Does trickle-down economics work? Is growth imperative? Are markets the best indicator? Venture capitalist Nick Hanauer presents an enlightened viewpoint.
Hosted by Clive Overton.
Lakeside Freethinkers
Jim Hutchins will speak on an interesting freethinker topic at the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers Wednesday, March 18, 4 p.m. at Casa Linda restaurant, Rio Bravo 8 in Ajijic. Dinner and additional discussion usually follow.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who is 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.
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LCS bus trips
Wednesday, March 18, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Galerias Mall and Thursday, March 19, the trip is to the Tres Mujeres Distillery in Amatitan/Tequila.
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.
Mindfulness course
Getting Started with Mindfulness Course by Riberas Meditation was due to start Wednesday, March 18 at 1 p.m. This course is on “Coronapause” and will be rescheduled once this threat to the community is over.
Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 376-765-6976.
Mask Gala
Niños Incapacitados holds another fun gala fundraiser, A Mask Gala, Thursday, March 19, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. See who’s behind the masks and enjoy music, a glass of wine, dinner, a raffle, silent and live auctions and a cash bar. Tickets, 650 pesos are available through Thursday, March 12 from Donna Arthurs, 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..
Flock-off
Patricio Holden put on a party each year for snowbirds to say goodbye before they head north. Friday, March 20, 4 p.m., enjoy a buffet or menu service at Maria Isabel Restaurant while bidding adieu to your amigos. 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.
• A trip to the traditional Guadalajara barrio (neighborhood) of Santa Tere with Alfredo Pérez. Visit the church, market and commercial area and finish with a delicious traditional Tapatio dish in a local restaurant. Wednesday, March 25.
• Mexican traditional chocolate with Nora Maldonado. You will learn to identify and recognize the fruit, study the process cocoa goes through from seed to the end result of a delicious table chocolate. Friday, March 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• A trip to Zapotlanejo, the capital for women’s clothing in Jalisco, with Alfredo Pérez. In Zapotlanejo there are various textile workshops that sell clothes for all tastes. Enjoy buying clothes, finding the monuments in the historic center and getting a drink at the Bicentennial Park, Tuesday, March 31. More 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..
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Operation Feed
Enjoy a spirit-filled evening at Restaurant Viva Mexico in San Juan Cosala Friday, March 27, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Operation Feed. Tickets, 450 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl or from Operation Feed volunteers. Facebook@operationfeedsjc.
April Fools party
This year’s April Fools party is dedicating the majority of its proceeds to efforts by the Tepahua Community Center and Poco a Poco to combat childhood kidney disease in the lakeside area.
The event will be held at the Sunrise Restaurant in San Antonio Tlayacapan, Wednesday April 1, 2 to 5 p.m. The cost is 400 pesos and there will be special prizes for those in costume. Tickets are available at the Tepehua Treasures store in Riberas del Pilar and the Sunrise restaurant, or by contacting Harvey Bernier, 603-923-8893 (U.S. cell), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Kari Higgins, 333-820-4927, 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 open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation. 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.
Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written instructions on meditation for beginners. There are no fees for practice opportunities, but donations are always welcome.
On Wednesdays, a brief reading and discussion follows the meditation period.
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..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.