Open Circle
Greg Custer presents “Is it time to move the U.S.-Mexico border? Let’s consider the consequences” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday December 17, 10:30 a.m.
A geopolitical Cold War simmers with China. The Mexico-Central America humanitarian migration crisis only worsens. A long-view immigration strategy has eluded the Western Hemisphere.
Lurking and hunched across 2,000 miles of sand, binational urban clusters and desert voids, this crisis is the United States’ most intractable ongoing challenge.
Do we have the imagination as americanos to rethink a long-term response?
Custer has been an observer and student of Mexico for more than four decades, working for Mexico’s tourism ministry for over 25 years. He has resided Lakeside since 2015 and brings his perspective on Mexico-U.S. relations through a unique lens nurtured by a Southern California upbringing and decades of observation and reflection.
Immigration
In a rare move, Mexico’s immigration offices (INM) will be open during the end of December, closing for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day only. (Offices in other service areas make their own decisions, which may vary.)
Ultra Trail Ride
The governments of Poncitlan, Ocotlan and Chapala are holding a 50K and 25K run or bike ride, Sunday, January 7. The ride begins at the main plaza in Octotlan at 6:30 a.m. The route goes through some of Poncitlan’s most scenic vistas, passing through the pueblos of Cuitzeo, El Zapote, San Pedro Itzican and Mezcala, and finishes in Chapala. There are male and female open categories. The cost is 350 pesos and includes a medal, number, hydration, paramedic assistance if needed, photographs of the route and return transport to Octolan for those who need to pick up their vehicles. Mountain bikes are necessary for cyclists. To register, call 392-106-3712, 392-122-0265;or 392-107-8475 (Spanish only).
Holiday dining
POSADAS:
• The Raquet Club will hold a traditional posada Friday, December 15, 4 to 8 p.m. Mary will be on a donkey accompanied by Joseph, with everyone chanting hymns and asking for shelter. A feast of tamales, empanadas and champurrado is on the menu with a cash cocktail bar. A piñata and Mexican games will also be part of the festivities. The cost is 200 pesos at the door.
• Tio Domingo holds its traditional Christmas posada Saturday, December 16, 6 p.m. including guayaba ponche, tamales and pozole and live music. Reservations: 376-766-2453.
• Casa Domenech holds a posada “rockera,” Sunday, December 17, 4 p.m. with music by Diana Terry’s band. Games, piñatas, special cocktails and snacks are on the menu. Cost is 150 pesos, including one drink. Pay at the door.
• St. Andrew’s Anglican Church holds an annual Christmas music and potluck, Wednesday, December 20, 4 p.m. Bring your favorite dish.
• Casa del Sol Inn is holding its annual holiday posada Friday, December 22, billed as a celebration of the Christmas story by the children of Ajijic seeking shelter as Joseph and Mary. A feast of all-you-can-eat tacos, a holiday dessert, buñuelos and ponche will be served at 5:30 and at 7:15 p.m., and a Christmas carol concert by the CREM Music School Ensemble and Chorus will be performed. Reservations: 376-766-0050.
CHRISTMAS EVE:
• Chatterley’s in downtown Chapala offers three meal options from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Pork medallion, turkey or rib eye supreme. All are served with fruit punch, appetizer and dessert. Reservations: 333-228-4656.
• Casa del Sol Inn offers a special brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. of Brioche French toast almondine with roasted squash, shallot and blue cheese tart. Reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 376-766-0050.
• La Bodega de Ajijic prepares Christmas meals to go by the kilo. Options are roast turkey, fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp or roast pork leg in mushroom sauce. Side dishes are stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, and individual servings of Christmas salad or spinach salad. Individual meals of turkey with the fixings are also offered. Payment of 50 percent must be made by December 21 and pick up is on December 24 between 1:30 to 3 p.m. Information: 376-766-1002.
• CocinArt offers dinners for pickup or delivery 2 to 7 p.m. with a menu of roasted tomato cream, turkey, brisket, chamorro, Vizcaina fish filet, or chile en nogada. Reservations: 331-395-3810.
• Emmanuel’s offers a Christmas fondue starter, appetizer of seafood tomato soup, roast leg of lamb or stuffed turkey breast and dessert of chocolate and cranberry mini tart. Reservations: 332-041-7968.
• Casa Linda will serve from 2 to 6 p.m. a menu of creamy mushroom soup, pear and gorgonzola salad, red snapper filet or filet mignon with dessert options of pecan or pumpkin pie. Reservations: 376-108-0887.
• Gosha’s will serve from 4 to 8 p.m. a menu of roasted bell pepper soup, winter salad, turkey or brown sugar glazed ham, and all the fixings with dessert of berry mascarpone or chocolate cake. Reservations: 376-766-2121.
CHRISTMAS DAY:
• La Nueva Posada serves up a three-course meal with its signature main dish of roast turkey and all the fixings, finishing with a special Christmas dessert and liquor with coffee. Seatings at 1:30 and 5 p.m. 590 pesos for adults and 400 pesos for children. Reservations: 376-766-1444/1344. 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..
• Manix will have its buffet of appetizers, roast turkey, sucking pig and all the fixings, a dessert bar with coffee with seatings at 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets at Manix, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Scallion Ajijic Bistro offers a menu of potato leek soup, pork loin or turkey and pineapple ham with all the fixings and a house banana bread budding with caramel sauce. Reservations: 376-766-2301.