The Guadalajara Reporter
Guadalajara's Largest English Newspaper
The Ajijic plaza was a site of frenzied activity Saturday, October 26 as hundreds of folks congregated for a Halloween season blowout featuring the third annual lakeside Thrill the World performance, complemented for the first time by the pumpkin carving contest sponsored by Diane Pearl Colecciones.
For just over one year Ajijic’s Friday Artisans’ Market has been an active outlet for locally produced art, handmade crafts, homemade foods, fresh produce and other top quality goods. As of November 1, the established group of 30 affiliated vendors will broaden horizons to open up a new flea market section where folks can rent a space on a one-time or as-need basis.
Sport sailing in Lake Chapala is a deep-rooted tradition going back at least a century when the area was in its “golden era” and well-heeled Guadalajara families established vacation homes along the shoreline. Like the lake itself, the practice has gone through its ups and downs over recent years. And this season, both are enjoying a welcome revival.
A throng of well-wishers chanted “Hear, hear!” to cheer on long-time lakesider Ceri Dando as he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for meritorious service bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during a reception for British Ambassador to Mexico Duncan Taylor held on Sunday, October 20.
The Chapala government is eager to turn the municipality into a spotless place to live or visit. Academic staff at the Escuela Preparatoria Regional (Prepa Chapala) have a mission to guide their students towards developing strong bonds with their community. Those aims will lock together with the Saturday, October 26 launch of Chapala Te Quiero Limpio, a new initiative to spruce up the area and keep it tidy.
A wide array of special events tied in to Mexico’s deeply-rooted Dia de Muertos traditions offer lakeside residents and visitors multiple options for gaining insights and appreciation for the country’s most singular holiday. The activities listed below are open to the public free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Prospects for a presentation to introduce lakeside expats to Jalisco’s criminal justice system was a positive outcome of the October 11 public audience held at Chapala city hall under the auspices of the state Attorney General’s Office (FGE).
Delivering her first report on the operation of the DIF Chapala (family assistance agency), the city’s First Lady Marisela Navarro discarded the conventional recitation of facts and figures, choosing instead to speak off the cuff about true life stories and the needs of the downtrodden people she is committed to serve.
Luz de Malla, a local non-profit group dedicated to developing sustainable fishing practices at Lake Chapala, is running a series of out-of-the-ordinary Mexico tours to help support its activities.
