Carnaval’s expat royalty
Party down with the candidates nominated to wear the crown as Expat King and Queen of this year’s Carnaval festivities at a get together set for Saturday, March 2, 3 to 5 p.m., Galeana 60 in upper Ajijic.
The event hosted by contest organizer José Roque is an opportunity to rub elbows with candidates Steve Cross, Thomas Hellyer, Bill McCartney, Catherine-Claire Blythe, Antoinette Braham and Carolyn Goulart Cothran and purchase votes for your favorites at 50 pesos a pop.
The man and woman collecting the most cash by Monday, March 4 will be crowned the following day at the end of Ajijic’s Carnaval parade. All proceeds from the contest are going into a community fund, and the royals will manage to purchase materials for repairing local streets. The municipal government will provide manpower to carry out the work.
Carnaval
Chapala’s Carnaval festivities continue through Fat Tuesday, March 5 at La Cristiania Park fairgrounds unless otherwise specified. Admission is 25 pesos for kids, 35 for adults. Admission is charged for jaripeo bullriding with live banda music at Chapala’s Lienzo Charro González Gallo, opposite the Pemex station.
Friday, March 1: Jaripeo, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro; Concert from 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 2: Jaripeo bullriding with banda music, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro; Bailazo dance party from 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 3: Carnaval parade, 10 a.m., Avendia Madero; Chapalazo Mud Fest, 11 a.m.; jaripeo, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro; Cultural entertainment, from 3 p.m., Malecón east end Forum; Electro Music Fest, 6 p.m.
Monday, March 4: Jaripeo, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro; Midget Matadors show, 7 p.m.; Cultural entertainment, 7 p.m., Malecón east end Forum.
Tuesday, March 5: Jaripeo, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro; Cultural entertainment, 7 p.m., Malecón east end Forum; Carnaval finale with bands from 8 p.m.
Ajijic Carnaval festivities continue with jaripeos daily March 2 through 5, starting 4 p.m., at the town’s Lienzo Charro bullring located on Calle Revolución, a block south of Plaza Bugambilias. These events are preceded by Toro de Once parades led by La Sayaca masked dancers, which start from the rear entrance of the San Andrés Church on Calle Galeana around 11 a.m., then head to the plaza, west on Hidalgo to Seis Esquinas and back via Ocampo-Constitución to the bullring.
British luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, March 2, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
The speaker for this meeting is British Vice Consul Rita Felton.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or cream of broccoli soup, brisket, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables or fish fillet in white wine, mushroom and black olive sauce with rice or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon meringue pie.
The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Arleen Foster, (376) 766-1742 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to confirm your attendance.
LCS tequila
The Lake Chapala Society holds its third annual Tequila Tasting event Saturday, March 2, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Experience more than 30 types of tequila with unlimited tastings and complimentary appetizers throughout the afternoon. Two catas (instructive tastings) will be held during the event: at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. These are private tastings with limited seating (costing an additional 100 pesos per person).
Advance tickets for the event, 175 pesos for members, 210 pesos for non-members, are available at the LCS office. Tickets on the day of the event are 215 pesos. Information: Kathleen McLennan, (376) 766-1173.
Open Circle
This week’s Open Circle has a venue change and will take place at Club Exotica, located behind Restaurant El Jardin in the Ajijic Plaza.
Donald W. Aitken, Ph.D. presents “Global Warming, Climate Change, & Renewable Energy for Mexico” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 3, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Dr. Aitken will give a pictorial two-year overview of the extraordinarily fast, increasingly extreme, and now better understood costs of a small increase in global temperature and large increases in global climate-warming emissions. Global renewable energy growth and Mexico’s recent strides in large industrial and utility scale renewable energy will also be documented.
Dr. Aitken, a 12-year resident of Ajijic, is a former Research Professor of High Energy Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics at Stanford University and founder and long-time Chairman of the Department of Environmental Studies at San Jose State University. He later served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Western Regional Solar Energy Center and as the Senior Staff Scientist for Renewable Energy Policy and Economics with the Union of Concerned Scientists. He is widely published and has received many awards for his lifetime service to these fields.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad kicks off its 7th Annual Film Festival Sunday, March 3, at the Cinemagic Theater (formerly called Cinemas del Lago) in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic.
Nine films are included in the 2019 not-for-profit series, which will be shown at 1:30 p.m. every Sunday on topics covering critical social, environmental and humanitarian issues, and U.S. politics.
The first film, “Active Measures”, exposes a 30-year history of covert political warfare devised by Russia to disrupt, influence and control world events and democratic nations through cyber-attacks, propaganda campaigns and corruption. The filmmakers follow a trail of money, real estate and mob connections, and confessions that lead directly to the White House.
Proceeds from the 100-peso ticket price will be used to continue support to non-partisan voter registration at Lakeside. The Chapala Chapter was very active in 2016 and 2018 in providing absentee voter help to local and temporary U.S. citizens and dual citizens residing in the area.
To find out more about the Chapter’s local interests and activities, write to: 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 bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society offers a bus trip to Bed Bath and Beyond and World Market, Wednesday, March 6. A trip to Costco and Galerias Mall in Guadalajara is scheduled March 20.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members. Registration and payment can now be made online.
Vegan Fest
The second Feria Vegan will be held Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the plaza in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The event promises fantastic food, inspirational speakers and cooking demos. Entrance is free.
St. Andrew’s concert plus
A special performance of San Juan Cosala’s Greydanus Music School Orchestra and Chorus will be held as a fundraiser for five local charities, Sunday, March 10, 11:45 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Calle San Lucas 19 in Riberas del Pilar.
Billed as the church’s outreach bazaar, the event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes the sale of crafts, plants and jewelry from Poco a Poco, food to go by Cafe Canasta, hand-sewn gifts by the Tepehua Sewing Ladies, and goodies from Ajijic’s Sweets and Treats and Taste of San Juan Cosala.
The Brigada youth leaders from pueblos east of Chapala will hold a car wash outside the church. All proceeds benefit Hope House boys home, Have Hammers woodworking school, Operation Feed, Days for Girls and the Casa de Ancianos in Chapala.
LCS Tech Support
A tech expert will be available to help LCS members with questions and issues with tech devices each Thursday, noon to 2 p.m. on the Neill James Patio at a walk-up desk.
Members are encouraged to bring their phones, tablets and laptops so that issues can be solved. Also on Thursdays, specific tech classes are given: March 7, Android basics; March 21, voice control of tech; March 28, streaming TV Lakeside.
To register send an email with your LCS membership number to 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..
Post-Life Planning
“Get It Done: A Free Dying and Death Workshop” for the entire Lakeside community will be held two Wednesdays, March 13 and March 20, 4:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 7 Chapala.
Susana Greenberg, a recently retired geriatric nurse practitioner specializing in palliative and hospice care, and Elizabeth Katz, who did hospice work in a non-medical capacity, will present the program. Do not register unless you can commit to both dates. Information and RSVP: 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 courses on Mexico
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) offers its members a variety of courses and seminars in February to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.
• Mexican Manners, Wednesday, March 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Class to obtain a Jalisco driver’s license, Monday, March 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and and a trip to Guadalajara to obtain or renew a license, Tuesday, March 26, 7 a.m.
• Traditional Ajijic Paper balloons, Thursday, March 28, 1 to 4 p.m.=
Noche Mexicana
The annual Niños Incapacitados Gala Dinner/Dance Fiesta is Thursday, March 14, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Real de Chapala in Ajijic.
The “Noche Mexicana” raises funds for ongoing support of seriously ill children at Lakeside.
A big part of the Gala evening is the live and silent auctions of donated “experiences,” beautiful merchandise, and lucky draw including a Wine Pull game of chance, and 500 pesos gift baskets. The event also includes a complimentary Bubbly and Margarita reception at 5 p.m. and later a dinner and no-host bar as well as live music and entertainment. Enjoy the fun, and support the children by attending and participating. Tickets, 600 pesos, area available from Donna Arthurs, 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.. Information: programaninos.com.
Sunset boat cruise
A Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Chapala to benefit The Ranch no-kill dog shelter will be held Tuesday, March 19.
This fun-filled event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and music by Polanco and Steadman.
Boarding begins 5 p.m. and the boat departs at 5:30 p.m. on the east side of El Bambu Restaurant on Restaurant Row on the Carretera about 1.5 miles before San Juan Cosala. De-board at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets, 550 pesos are on sale at Diane Pearl.
There is free parking on the mountain side of the street.
Shriner’s Rib Fest
The 13th annual Shriners Ribfest, a fundraiser to help local children whom the Ajijic Shriners send to burn hospitals in Mexico City and Texas, is set for Wednesday, March 27, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cumbres Jardin Eventos on the top of Chula Vista Norte. The Ajijic Jam Band will play as you enjoy a succulent BBQ rib dinner prepared by Adelita’s Restaurant. On-site parking at Cumbres or the shuttle service from Black Coffee will get you up to the event.
Tickets, 600 pesos, are available from any Shriner or contact David Eccles, at 331-017-1724, 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..
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public. Chairs and cushions and brief written instructions on meditation for beginners are provided.
Wednesday, March 6, the meditation period will be followed by a brief presentation and discussion period.
March 13-16, senior dharma teacher DaeJa Napier will be in residence. She will teach at the regular Wednesday gathering and there will also be an option for private interviews. Opportunities to hear the teachings and receive support in the practice will include a daylong retreat, “Living in The Heart of Awareness, A Mindfulness and Metta Retreat,” Saturday, March 16 at Cinco Elementos retreat center in La Cristina. Advance registration is required; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. A yoga class suitable for beginners and advanced students, is offered Thursday, 9 to 10:45 a.m.
The center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic.