Joco artisan fair
The Association of Empowered Women of the Ribera holds a sale of organic, artistic and handmade products every Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. at the Escuela Paulino Navarro at Gonzalez Ortega Sur 263 in Colonia Virgen de Guadalupe in Jocotepec.
Good eats!
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. or 331-098- 4850." />A Kermes food festival will be held as a fundraiser for September’s Fiestas Patrias celebration on the Ajijic Malecón, Sunday, July 10, from 9 a.m. Mexican food, desserts and more will be on sale.
Open Circle
Marianne Carlson, founder of the Feria Maestros del Arte, will talk about this event/organization at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
“The idea for the Feria emerged during a trip with a friend to 16 artisan villages between Ajijic, Jalisco and Pátzcuaro, Michoacán in March 2002,” says Carlson. “I realized that I was meeting artists whose work the average person would never get a chance to see. When asked where they sold their work, most of the artists said in their homes, in their local tianguis (open-air markets), or in a larger tianguis in other villages, if they could afford to travel there. The wheels started turning and I began to think, why not have a Feria at Lake Chapala?
“Over the years, the structure of the Feria has changed. At first, I paid for everything and selected the artisans myself. I had no vision of how long the Feria might continue. It took on a life of its own! After four years, I needed help. I put an ad in the local paper that I was having a meeting asking for volunteers. Eighteen people I had never met before attended and by the end of the meeting, we had several volunteer coordinators.
“As we grew up, the Artist Selection Committee was formed and we found three state coordinators who would also help us select the artisans; Oaxaca (Linda Hanna), Chiapas (Brigitte Ordoquy) and Michoacán (Terry Baumgart). It is not difficult to keep the show new and different every year, because of the myriad of incredible artists all over Mexico. Every year we select at least 40 to 50 new artists from the total of 85.
“We offer the public an opportunity to see and purchase the work of some of Mexico’s finest artists; each artist a place to exhibit and sell their work, possibly making connections for future sales that will allow them to continue to make a living selling their art; artists get the opportunity to meet each other, develop new friendships and connections; and we offer a vehicle to promote the folk-art of Mexico, while at the same time educating the public that such art is in danger and on the verge of extinction.
“From the first time I traveled in Mexico, I knew I would live here one day. In August 2022, I will have lived in Mexico for 25 years and I’ve loved every minute of it. Before moving SOB I worked at various jobs, including at a nuclear power plant, and I managed an Arabian horse ranch. I was 50 when I moved here, so I had to work for 12 years before I received my social security. I opened a small gallery called Avant Gourd and sold my gourd art. Soon after, I moved and began selling Mexican folk art all of this leading to when I decided to begin a Feria at lakeside.”
Taylor-made
Tere Robles, one of the costureras from the Tepehua Sewing Group, will now be at the American Legion every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to assist anyone who needs sewing alterations or custom sewing work. She is an excellent seamstress and has great attention to detail, and although her English is minimal, she is able to understand and communicate despite that.
Chapala Birders
Tuesday, July 19, the birders will meet at 8:15 a.m. at the entrance to Cristiania Park in Chapala. Expect to see an interesting selection of species in the park and on the shore of the lake. At about 10 a.m., the group will go to “La Palapa de Don Juan” for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
From Ajijic, go to the traffic light at the main street of Chapala (Av. Madero), cross straight over and keep going straight for five blocks, turn left at the T intersection and park on the right, near the park entrance.
Bird walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars. There are always knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. Note that car trips are limited to four vehicles because larger convoys are hard to manage when trying to stop on country roads to look at birds. If you are being given a ride, the organizers suggest you make a contribution to your driver for gas and tolls (perhaps 100 pesos for a half day outing, 200 pesos for a day trip).
There were 93 species reported for the lake area in June.
The Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. See Chapalabirders.org for more information.
Xmas in July
American Legion Post 7 Chapala Auxiliary is calling all crafters, artists and salespeople to register for their Christmas in July craft and sale bazaar, to be held Sunday, July 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Legion. All tables must be reserved by July 15. Contact Cindy for registration forms at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anavets Xmas fundraiser
Anavets (Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans Association Canada) Mexico Unit 19 will hold its third annual teddy bear picnic in support of Lakeside Children at Christmas, Thursday, August 4, at Mama’s Musical Bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan. A social hour begins at 2 p.m. and the meal at 3 p.m. Daniel Cordero will entertain. Bring a toy valued between 100 to 150 pesos and receive a ticket for a chance to win prizes. Tickets, 300 pesos, are available at Mama’s or via 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..
LCS classes
• Rachel McMillen holds a Creative Writing workshop Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 19 through August 11, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Inez Dyer teaches Introduction to Spanish Tuesdays, August 2, through 16, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
• Alfredo Perez holds a seminar on Getting Your Jalisco Driver’s License Without Losing Your Mind, Monday August 1, 2 to 3:45 p.m. Thursday, August 11, the class will go to the Secretaria de Transporte for the written driving text early in the morning.
• Alfredo Perez host the Mexican Manners class, Wednesday, August 3, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Rachel McMillen gives the popular Introduction to Lakeside seminar with two options: In person Monday, August 8, 9 a.m. to noon or Online, Friday, August 12, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Neri Navarro and Phil Rylett hold El Viaje a Mexico—Simulator in Spanish Conversation Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This class is a simulation of arriving at the Mexico-U.S. border and preparing a trip to Mexico City—an activity for anyone who wants to practice their Spanish in a semi-controlled environment, while having fun.
• Ted Rogers gives a five-session class on Financial Management for Expats, Wednesdays and Thursdays, August 29 to September 12, 1 to 2 p.m.
Enrollment and payment for these classes is at the Lake Chapala Society office Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are for LCS Members only.