Home for the holidays
To boost holiday spirits and promote family unity during the Christmas Season, the youth arm of Chapala’s National Action Party (PAN) has launched Alegra tu Casa, a home decoration contest with registrations set to run through December 16.
Chapala area residents wishing to participate may sign up through WhatsApp at 33-2432-8888 by sending a photograph of the decorated exterior of their home along with the contestant’s full name, age, address, telephone number and Facebook account.
A panel of judges will evaluate the entries on the basis of creativity and originality and visit the location of finalists to select the winners to be announced December 19. Prizes will be awarded to the top three places scored by the jury and for the photograph posted on Accion Juvenil Chapala Facebook page that earns the most likes.
Organizers stress that a family-oriented project showing creative use of materials to capture the bright joy of the season will be more highly valued than big spending to outshine other contestants.
Georgia on your mind?
Georgia voters who don’t receive their ballots for the special runoff election by November 30 can come for exclusive in-person voting assistance at the Lake Chapala Society on Tuesday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enter by the Lakeside entrance and follow signs to the Neill James Art Mural Patio. LCS sanitary protocols will be followed. Questions? 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..
Open Circle
Open Circle returns Sunday, November 22, 10:30 a.m., in the garden at the Lake Chapala Society, when Peter Steven Malakoff will present “Ayurveda and Aging.”
Buddha said: “Suffering is inevitable,” and he also said, “All suffering is not necessary.” In this way, the disease of aging is inevitable, but it may be manifested in a timely or untimely, comfortable or uncomfortable, disease-free or disease-filled manner. Herein lies the Ayurvedic approach to aging: it does not prevent death but prolongs life and health, offering understanding and practical wisdom on how to live our elder years in the best possible way.
Malakoff is a Religious Studies scholar who lived in India for nearly ten years. In 2004, he received his Ayurvedic Sadhana Padavika Diploma from Kalidas Sanskrit University in Nagpur, India.
Attendance will be limited to 80 persons, use of a mask is mandatory and temperature checks will be made on entry. Make your reservation and check the schedule at opencircleajijic.org.
On Sunday, November 29, 10:30 a.m., Richard Clarke will present “Change Your Mind to Change Your Brain.” Brain research shows you can grow and change your brain, using its natural plasticity to improve your life. You can slow down aging, rejuvenate your immune system, and be happier, more energetic and fulfilled. Clarke will discuss recent research findings, including how areas of the brain grow and change with meditation, including improving the immune system and slowing the aging of the brain, body, and skin. He will also recommend simple ways to start today to slow the effects of aging.
Clarke was a Silicon Valley guy who worked for IBM, National Semiconductor, and Teledyne Semiconductor, and founded Western Switching Power and Silicon Valley CRM. A long-time meditator, he holds meditation training courses and Ramana Maharshi Satsangs. He co-leads the LCUUF course From Age-ing to Sage-ing and presented weekly “HOT Science” at LCS. He has published about 20 books and pamphlets, available on his free book download site 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..
US passport services
The Lake Chapala Society, in cooperation the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, will assist U.S. citizens to complete the renewal of existing passports or report lost or stolen passports. Completed packets can be dropped off at the LCS office for transport to the Consulate for processing. New passports will be returned directly to the citizen. Forms and instructions are available at the LCS offices. If you have urgent travel plans or another emergency need for a passport, call 558-526-2561 to request an emergency appointment in Guadalajara.