Lots of smiles
Local real estate agent Joi Sherrill and friends donated a playset to La Ola Children’s Home. La Ola founder Becky Plinke and Joi connected in Ajijic because they are both from the same area of Tennessee.
“I plan to help these precious children any way I can and this playset is the most fun way to start,” Joi said.
Bugy Juegos Infantiles Equipamiento Para Espacio Recreativo Guadalajara company sales rep Diego Galindo Melo coordinated the set up and waived the installation and delivery fees.
La Ola is currently home to 25 children. The orphanage is building a new 20,000-square -foot building on the Libramiento across from Hotel Perico on five acres they own. Plinke is raising funds to complete the building, which will enable La Ola to house 100 girls. If you would like to help, you can visit their Facebook page, laolacasahogar.
Pride families
The first forum of Chapala Pride Families (Familias del Orgullo) “Breaking Barriers, Engendering Love” (Rompiendo barreras, criando AMOR) takes place Saturday, June 24, noon, in the Jardin El Paraiso (Paradise Garden) on the Chapala-Mexcala highway, just a beyond the intersection with Av. Pepe Guizar.
Families will talk about their experiences, problems and how they live and celebrate love in their homes. The objective is to promote understanding and help for family structure and foment acceptance and equality in society.
During the event there will be discussion panels, inspirational talks and testimonials from parents of LGBTQ sons and daughters who wish to share their experiences.
Open Circle
Wendy Cobina and Juanpi Medeles present “Chant Your Heart Open — a musical interlude” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Wendy calls their style “kirtan-ish,” while Juanpi calls it “a sweet gig.”
Join Wendy and Juanpi and chant your heart open. Enjoy this sweet duo!
For more information, see ChantYourHeartOpen.com.
Registration is strongly encouraged. Reserve at opencircleajijic.org.
Canada Day
ANAVETS Unit 19 Mexico is holding a Canada Day party, Saturday, July 1, at Mama’s Musical Bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Food is by Tony’s Plus: chicken, ribs and salads; entertainment by Mary’s Island. Tickets, 300 pesos, are available via email from 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.. Doors will open 1 p.m.
Seminar
American Legion Post 7 Chapala is hosting a seminar entitled “Being Prepared For End Of Life In Mexico,” Sunday, July 2, 1 to 3 p.m. Guest speaker is local attorney-at-law Spencer Richard McMullen, who will cover topics such as banking, wills, notary, doctors, funeral services, beneficiaries, and more.
Representatives from a notary, a funeral home, the Lake Chapala Society, the Red Cross, the U.S. Federal Benefits Bureau, and a doctor will be on hand for questions after the presentation.
This is open to the public, although reservations are required and it is limited to 75 people. A fee of 50 pesos is required to reserve your seat. The fee will be donated to a local charity. Contact Randall Butler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Intercambio
Intercambio is a language practice/social mixer being held at three separate locations each week. Practice your Spanish or English skills in relaxed and friendly atmosphere. All levels are welcome. Wednesdays, Mel’s Casa Social in Ajijic holds forth at 4 p.m.; Marios Wings Time, just off the Chapala Malecon, is on Wednesdays, 6 p.m.; and American Legion Post 7 Chapala has an Intercambio group meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Triathlon
Sunday, July 2, a triathlon and 5K run will take place in Chapala, kicking off at Parque de la Cristiania at 11 a.m. The triathlon includes swimming 50 meters in the park pool, then cycling two kilometers round trip from the park (helmets are required) and then running about one kilometer around the park. The 5K run begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday and goes from the park to the malecon, east to the Vela at the far end and back.
Categories are Youth: 14-18 and Open: 19 and older.
The cost for entering both the triathlon and the 5K run is 400 pesos and 250 pesos for just the triathlon. Each competitor receives a number, a medal and a T-shirt.
Cash prizes are given to first and second place winners in both categories and the third place winner receives a sporting article.
Deposits to register for the run are to BBVA bank account 289936-5400. A copy of the receipt, name, age, birthdate, city you live in, telephone number and T-shirt should be sent by WhatsApp to race coordinator Ernesto Gonzalez at 332-062-9710.
July 4th
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will hold an Independence Day celebration, Tuesday, July 4, with a social hour beginning 2 p.m. and dinner at 3 p.m. Live music is by The Crooners. On the menu are fried chicken, baked beans, broccoli salad and dessert. Tickets, 300 pesos in advance and 350 pesos at the door, available at the Legion Post, Morelos 114 in Chapala.
Don’t lose hope
Lori Brown recounts her life experiences at Open Circle, Sunday, July 9. Lori’s story is a remarkable one, filled with unimaginable hardships and incredible resilience. At 24 years old, Lori found herself reduced to slavery in the killing fields of Cambodia for four painful years. Despite this, Lori never gave up hope and eventually made the difficult decision to escape by foot, walking out of Cambodia with her two young children to save their lives.
Today, Lori is an inspiration to many, a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity.