Dems Abroad Lake Chapala
• No Tyrants/Your Vote Matters Rally, Saturday, January 17 at 2:30 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza. For more information, go to Shorturl.at/skTgr.
• Susan Suinat (above), the founder of Overseas Vote, is the guest speaker at the Democrats Abroad monthly member meeting, Monday, January 19, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Restaurant, 16 de septiembre 124, Ajijic. Join the discussion about why voting from abroad early in the 2026 elections is more important than ever. For more information, go to Shorturl.at/q1Pvz.
• Voter Assistance Events: 2026 U.S. Elections START NOW! Especially if you vote from AR, IL, NC, MS, and TX. Request and return your 2026 Ballot at VoteFromAbroad.org by January 31. The earlier the better! If you need help requesting your ballot or have any questions about voting from abroad, visit the Lake Chapala Society on Mondays in January (19 and 26) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Open Circle
Armelle Cloche will present “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Guadalajara That Will Make It Your Favorite City of 2026” on Sunday, January 18, 10:15 a.m., at Open Circle at the Lake Chapala Society.
Living Lakeside, we can sometimes forget the wealth of experiences offered just one hour away in Guadalajara, one of Latin America’s most culturally dynamic cities. Dive in with a local’s perspective to learn about Latin America’s premier film festival, an exclusive wine room where international tastings are free, insider trick for 2x1 concert tickets, music icons coming in 2026, and more. Don’t miss it!
When Armelle arrived in Guadalajara during Covid, she didn’t expect to find a new home — but she did. She founded This Week in Guadalajara. providing essential English-language event guides and cultural insights.
Flowers for all
The Lakeside Garden Guild’s annual fundraising show is on Friday, January 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. at a private residence at Juan Alvarez 1 in Ajijic. Designed to inspire and educate, showcasing imaginative floral designs created with beautiful local flowers and foliage. A live painting demonstration by Efren Gonzalez and floral arrangement sales are part of the event.
Tickets, 500 pesos, include appetizers and one beverage and can be purchased at Fenix Realty. Proceeds will go toward the Guild’s annual community project.
Ajijic Cares
Last year, Ajijic Cares (AC) received 15 professional certifications from Fundación PAS, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to the prevention of child sexual abuse and the training of professionals, families, and institutions. These certifications allow AC to train parents and caregivers in child abuse prevention, teachers in detection and prevention strategies and psychologists in intervention and accompaniment for child abuse cases.
AC has successfully recruited an incredible group of parents, teachers and psychologists who will begin their certifications mid-January. This team is united by a shared commitment to actively participate in the Faro de Chapala project by speaking with other parents, training more teachers, and offering free psychological care to children and families affected by abuse.
Ajijic Cares is looking for volunteers to help with support programs, share professional skills, help with logistics and fundraising, outreach and community care. Contact them via Facebook page: Ajijic Cares.