How to get registered
Canadian Vice Consul Patrick Courcelles (left) and Ana Bara, Consular Officer, will hold a seminar on Canada’s program for registering Canadians living abroad. They will discuss the benefits and give a demonstration on how to register in ten minutes. The date and time are Thursday, December 13, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sala of the Lake Chapala Society.
Brrrr
Crazy folks from north of the border who don’t know – or care – how cold the lake’s water can be in January should contact Charlie Klestadt at 331-695-4094 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
He’s looking for some new members for the “Polar Bear Club” prepared to jump into Lake Chapala on New Year’s Day at 1 p.m.
The event is a fundraiser for Cruz Roja Chapala. (No one froze to death last year.)
Holiday Fair
The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post Seven holds their 12th Annual Arts and Crafts Holiday Fair on Sunday, December 2, opening to the public at 9 a.m.
The event features all kinds of decorator items of the season, a huge range of items for gifting and an “arts in the kitchen” brunch with quiche, fruit cup, muffin, juice or coffee and a small glass of wine for 60 pesos. There will be a “spin-the-wheel,” game, Tarot card readings, and the auxiliary’s famous “Take and Bake” sale. You’ll find most everything you need for a happy season.
There is still a little room for vendors. Tables cost 50 pesos each. Call Victoria Schmidt for information at 765-2259.
Seminar
The Tuesday, December 4, noon seminar for all members of the Lake Chapala Society will be chaired by Ron Mullenaux. It will feature (via TED Internet podcast) psychologist Barry Schwartz discussing “The Paradox of Choice.” Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In his estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
Holiday shopping
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) will sponsor two trips to Guadalajara’s Galerias Mall in December. The first is Wednesday, December 5 and the second on Wednesday, December 19. This mall and its environs has dozens of fine stores and restaurants, including Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, Mega, Applebees, Chilis, Outback Steakhouse, Krispy Kreme and many others.
The bus leaves from the La Floresta sculpture at 9 a.m. and returns from the Costco area at 3:30 p.m. The price is 200 pesos. Sign up at the LCS table Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For the critters
Everyone (especially animal lovers) is invited to a fundraiser for veterinarian Pepe Magaña and Seigrid Hernandez’s Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation and Sanctuary. The date is Saturday, December 8, 4-7 p.m. at Las Calaveras animal shelter, just a five minute drive east of Calle Pepe Guizar on the road to Mezcala.
The 200-peso ticket includes a delicious, authentic Mexican meal prepared by “Chef” Pepe himself. A cash bar will be open. You’ll get to tour this sanctuary and enjoy the variety of fauna it shelters.
Get tickets at Pepe’s office or call (cell) 331-153-0116.
Lecture
A free, 90-minute PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Richard Rhoda open to the public is set for Monday, December 10, 2 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. “Modern Mexico – So Much More than We Think” is an update of a lecture given last winter by Rhoda, coauthor (with Tony Burton) of the 2010 book “Geo-Mexico: The Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico.” It will cover a wide range of topics: economy, social issues, drug wars, climate change, volcanoes, immigration, biodiversity, ethnic groups, monopolies and more. Contact Rhoda at 766-4522.
Happy holidays
You’re all invited to celebrate the holiday season with the Canadian Club on Tuesday, December 11, 3 p.m. at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic. Music will be provided by Rafael Buico. Please bring your favorite holiday treats to share during the program.
Club membership is 180 pesos per person and includes 25 pesos for beer, wine or soft drinks. Guests pay 50 pesos each. Everyone is welcome.
More shopping
Cruz Roja is hosting a bus trip to plush Plaza Andares in Guadalajara on December 18. It will leave from the auditorium in La Floresta at 2 p.m. Participants will have time to shop, eat at one of the many fine restaurants in and around the mall, enjoy the festive Christmas decorations and entertainment that the plaza has to offer in the early evening.
The bus will leave the mall at 8 p.m. and return to the auditorium between 9 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are 200 pesos per person and can be purchased at the Cruz Roja table on the LCS campus.
You can check out all this iconic mall has to offer at at its excellent website, www.andares.com.
Mark your calendars
The date has been set for the Seventh Annual Lake Chapala Shrine Club Ribfest: March 6, 2013 from 2-6 p.m.
This year’s Ribfest will feature Tony’s “world famous” ribs or chicken for those who prefer. Tickets are 350 pesos each and are currently available from Noble Denis de Kergommeaux at 766-2200 or Noble Francis Dryden at 766-4619 (or any other Shriner).
Ribfest tickets could make a nice Christmas present for family members and/or friends.
The location is the same: Villa Encantada located on the curve heading into Chapala from Ajijic.
This event is always a highlight of the season so get tickets now!
St. Andrew’s Anglican
For Anglicans, as for many other liturgical Christians, Sunday, December 2 begins the new year in the Church calendar. The season of Advent (the four Sundays preceding Christmas) looks back at how God came to us, looks inward at how God dwells in us and looks forward to the God who inhabits eternity. As the candle of hope is lighted this week, the sermon by Father Winston Welty, “Apocalyptic Figs,” is a reflection on Jesus’ admonition to see the shape of our future hope in the present-day signs that surround us on every side.
Sunday worship at St. Andrew’s is at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. with a time of fellowship, welcome and refreshment between the services.
Friday, December 7 is the annual pre-Christmas Carol Sing and Pot Luck with the social hour beginning at 4:30 p.m., the dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the Carol Sing at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome and St. Andrew’s asks that those attending bring a “covered dish” and 50 pesos. Make reservations through the office at 765-3926. The church is located at Calle San Lucas 19, just a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Christ Church Anglican
Christ Church will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent on December 2 with the Holy Eucharist Rite II at the Little Chapel by the Lake at 9:30 a.m. The theme of Father Danny Borkowski’s sermon is “The Second Coming of Christ,” based on Luke 21: 25-36.
There is a time of joint fellowship for the congregations of Christ Church and the Little Chapel by the Lake after the 9:30 a.m. service and before the 11:15 a.m. service for the Little Chapel by the Lake. Since this is the first Sunday of the month, there will be a potluck luncheon after the 11:15 a.m. service (about noon). The combined congregations of Christ Church and the Little Chapel by the Lake will decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season. Show up and join in.
Presbyterians
There are times when it’s right to break the rules. After all, Jesus did. Pastor Ross Arnold of Lakeside Presbyterian Church will continue his series on “Meeting Jesus.” His message on December 2, “New Rules,” is from Mark 2: 23-27. The worship service begins at 10 a.m. There will be no Bible study until December 14.
For a festive start to the holiday season, beginning on Wednesday, December 5, you can stop by the church between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to view the collection of more than 200 nativity scenes from around the world, donated by Mary Alice Sargent. The display will be open through December 9.
Saturday, December 8, the church will provide a free lunch to all who stop by between noon at 2 p.m. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is located on the mountain side of the Carretera just west of S&S Auto and Bubba’s Restaurant.
Unitarians
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Sta. Margarita 113 in Riberas del Pilar. The presentation on Sunday, December 2 is “Ethics and Storytelling.” It discusses how telling stories is important in developing a sense of right and wrong and in developing the courage to do what is right. Fred Harland will coordinate the presentation. Joan Jaquish and Paul Bennett and join Harland in presenting stories of moral courage. There will be a coffee hour following the service. For more information please call 766-1119 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This is a welcoming congregation.