Open Circle
Dr. Todd Stong presents “Update of Conditions of Lake Chapala & Area Villages’ Infrastructure” at the next gathering of Open Circle, Sunday, March 21, 10:30 to noon in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) gardens.
Dr. Stong will give a presentation on three topics:
1) The initial year’s update of Covid-19 comparison of Mexico to the United States, Canada and Europe – as requested last March.
2) The state of the nation’s largest lake and various projects in the villages located around Lake Chapala, plus a focus on the three key water project actions needed in our region.
3) An update on childhood kidney disease in the villages from Chapala eastward to the end of the lake, which may be impacting the lives of about 30,000 children.
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.
Attendance is limited to those who have registered at opencircle.org.
Water ceremony
In partnership with Medicine Black Bear Lodge, a water ceremony will be held Sunday, March 21, 3 p.m., at Nicholas Bravo and Del Paseo in Ajijic. A chanapa (sacred pipe ceremony) will be held and then water taken from Lake Chapala in copper buckets the day before will be returned to the lake by each person with a dipper. The event is alcohol and drug free, children are welcome and women are asked to wear long skirts.
Bingo Lago moved
Bingo Lago, a fundraiser by Have Hammer Will Travel A.C., has moved to El Sombrero Restaurant in Ajijic, located just west of Ajijic Pemex on the mountain side of the street.
Each Wednesday, bingo fans gather at 1 p.m. Eight games of U.S.-style bingo and two Mexican loteria games are held with paper cards and bingo daubers. The event is dog friendly and there is a smoker’s terrace. The bingo package for 10 games is 200 pesos. All profits go to Have Hammers, which teaches Mexican youth life skills through woodworking and carpentry. There are no cash prizes, but winners receive salon coupons, furniture made by the students, artwork by local artists, discount coupons for charter tours and other prizes.
Ajijic Rotary Club
Due to a critical shortage of blood in local hospitals, the Ajijic Rotary Club has partnered with Chapala Med and the new Ribera Medical Center to hold its monthly blood drives.
The next is Saturday, March 27. Donors must be under 65 years of age. All donors receive a free health screening, free Covid-19 test, free lunch and T-shirt, a free meal at Puerto de Hierro Hospital in Zapopan. Volunteers will be taken to Guadalajara in a private bus at 8 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. Contact Dr. Cherry at 331-669-2414.
LCS classes
• How the Mexican Government Works in its Three Levels and What to do if Intimidated by the Authorities. This two-session class, given by Maria de las Nieves Solbes, is held Fridays, March 26 and April 2, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Neill James Veranda.
• Introduction to Lakeside class both on-campus and via Zoom will be taught by Rachel McMillen April 5 and 9. The on campus class runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon and the Zoom class is 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Moving to another country can be intimidating if we don’t have the basic knowledge to function successfully. That is why LCS offers this class — whether you plan to move here or already live Lakeside. There’s always a world to know.
Session 1 on April 5 focuses on “Exploring Lakeside.” Topics discussed will include where exactly is Lakeside?, Lakeside communities, Ajijic village, fiestas and the Lake Chapala Society,
Session 2 on April 9 concentrates on “Living at Lakeside.” Topics discussed will include health and medical, eating out and eating in, money, banks and ATMs, churches, entertainment and recreation, transportation, accommodations and utilities.
To register and pay for these classes visit the LCS website. You must be an LCS member to attend these classes.