Friday fiesta
La Bella Vida, at Constitucion 6 in Ajijic, will hold a First Friday Fiesta with artists and refreshments in the garden and special discounts, Friday, July 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plant sale
Poco a Poco San Pedro Itzican is holding a plant and home garden sale outdoors at the old 7-11 parking lot near Laura’s Garden Center on the highway in Riberas del Pilar Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jewelry produced by the local Women’s Collective Jewelry Project will also be for sale. San Pedro’s Firefighters Brigade dance troupe will perform a closing ritual dance ceremony on July 4, noon.
Proceeds from this sale will support the community garden in San Pedro, a community located seven kilometers east of Mezcala. Poco a Poco and other community organizations plan to garden with organic seeds to feed their communities, improve nutrition, grow enough to have a surplus to sell to cover the costs of the nursery, hold gardening classes and have a place for meetings. See more at pocoapocosanpedro.com.
Open Circle
Dr. Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia will present his interpretation of the Declaration of Independence on the 245th anniversary of the creation of the United States of America as a free and independent nation. Dr. Franklin (Steven Nousen) will speak at the Open Circle gathering at the Lake Chapala Society Sunday, July 4, 10:30 a.m. You will be transported back in place and time to Philadelphia on July 4, 1787. Dr. Franklin is currently at work in the State House, along with delegates from 12 of the 13 states, revising the Articles of Confederation. Although Dr. Franklin is prohibited from talking about the secret work of these delegates, he is at liberty to discuss how he and 55 other men came to declare independence from Great Britain 11 years earlier.
Award-winning teacher, actor and Benjamin Franklin scholar Steve Nousen has presented Ben Franklin for dozens of audiences, ranging in age from 9-90. He has entertained and informed people at conventions, schools, universities, civic groups and given talks at the National Geographic Society and the Library of Congress. In his presentations, the audience becomes part of the show. “Dr. Franklin” opens the microphone and engages in a dialogue with those present.
Where to enjoy July Fouth
• American Legion Post 7 Chapala will hold a July 4 celebration from 2 to 5 p.m., with music by Jonathan Guzman. Menu is fried chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob and apple pie with ice cream. Tickets for a 50-50 and other raffles and a liquor basket will be sold. Tickets: 250 pesos in advance and 300 pesos at the door.
• The Stoplight serves up smoked ribs and corn on the cob, beginning 1 p.m. No cover for the live entertainment. RSVP: 331-038-4129.
• Mexa Bistro offers live music by the Jazz Bones and a courtesy margarita along with a special dinner menu: lobster chowder, iceberg salad with bacon and Roquefort dressing, a rib eye patty burger filled with meat jam and foie gras, onion ring and fries and a three-berry cake pudding with vanilla ice cream. Tickets are 650 pesos. Reservations: 376-108-2309.
• Manix offers a turkey dinner with all the fixings and chocolate mousse for desert for 380 pesos, from noon to 6 p.m. Ricardo and Blanca will entertain from 2 to 4 p.m. Reservations: 376-766-0061.
• The Iron Horse Saloon presents Old Souls from 3 to 6 p.m. with a 50-peso cover, 2x1 burgers and fries, and 2x1 margaritas.
• Scallion Ajijic Bistro holds a music jam, from 7:30 p.m.
• Qui Qui has a special menu with a “Summer of Love, Got the Munchies Yet?” theme. Daniel Cordero and Black Swan with Diamonds will entertain, beginning 3 p.m. Reservations: 376-766-1360.