Lakeside Freethinkers
The Lakeside Freethinkers have been meeting virtually for the past few months. Their next meeting will feature a book report and discussion hosted by Donna Steadman. The book is “Green is the New Red: An Insider’s Account of a Social Movement Under Siege,” by Will Porter.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who is an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
To join in the virtual meeting, or obtain additional information, email 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..
Open Circle
Open Circle has suspended its weekly program on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society. Each week it highlights a different video of a past presentation. This week, David Ellison presents “Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools.”
A passionate proponent of high standards, Ellison has fought tenaciously against what has posed as education reform in the United States during his 35-year career as a teacher, teacher-trainer, administrator and education columnist. Standardized testing, vouchers, charters, and even the more recent Common Core Standards, are destroying public education, he says, because, like bloodletting, they fail to acknowledge, much less address, the real maladies, what Ellison refers to as “Voldemorts,” those which must not be named.
In his Open Circle presentation Ellison will briefly review the motives behind the “reform” strategies, cite the data demonstrating their failure, dare to mention the real issues, and end with a bold plan for real reform.
Ellison currently instructs high school history in Union City, California. In 2014, he published his second book, “Bloodletting: Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools” (Stairway Press).
The Open Circle website (opencircleajijic.org) is currently not operational while the Lake Chapala Society works on migrating it to their own site.
The video is available on YouTube. Type “Open Circle Ajijic Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools” into the search box.
Live music options
Friday, Scallion Ajijic Bistro hosts Old Souls playing on the terrace, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Black String plays world music at Casa Linda, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Daniel Cordero plays at the Iron Horse Saloon, 3 p.m.
Mondays, Jonathan Guzman plays at Adelita’s, 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at La Cima del Copal, 4:15 p.m.
Mondays and Wednesdays, The Jazz Duet of Juan Castañon and David Calvario plays at Herto Café, 11:30 a.m.