Ooops … I suddenly knew what was in that ominous envelope even before I signed (in three places) to confirm receipt. Over breakfast last weekend a friend described this procedure as it had occurred on his doorstep when he’d received the envelope.
The official notification of infraction inside not only described my car (right down to the VIN number), it included a rather nice color photo of the back of my van, and an enlarged shot of my rear license plate.
I’d been busted – for speeding – by the cameras on the Carretera Guadalajara-Chapala.
I briefly considered letting you think that I’d organized the event and was using a bit of well-planned misfortune to assure you, kind readers, that reporters of “The Guadalajara Reporter” will go to any lengths to demonstrate how new systems work.
I’d like to tell you that … but the truth is that according to the data on the form, the cameras snapped when I was going 92 kilometers per hour in a zone where 80 is permitted. I was in total denial until I remembered three recent trips to and from the airport.
The reverse side of this handy, dandy document lists the cost of the fine – 337 pesos – and a full dozen locations for quick and easy payment. Maybe. (My friend reports that several listed locations refused his payment.) Did I mention there is a 50-percent discount if I pay the fine before Tuesday April 22?
You know, I just happened to think. The date stamp on the infraction pinpoints the time I passed the camera. It was at 14:10:04 on Saturday, March 1. After my daughter disappeared through the departing international passenger gate, I’d met the Reporter’s editor at Starbucks to interview for this position.
On the drive back that afternoon, my mind was racing with thoughts of a new job and ideas for articles. I’m wondering if that makes my ticket business related. Do you think the Reporter will pick up my fine?
Surviving Mexico!
The Surviving Mexico! workshop, scheduled Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Instituto Olé México at Revolución 6 in Ajijic, is designed to help expats in the Lake Chapala area better understand and become closer to the people and culture in a dynamic, fun way.
The workshop’s creator, Luis A. Aguirre, is a project consultant with experience in business, social and urban issues, has a master’s degrees in communication and culture, and is a certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator.
Through Lego Serious Play participants will examine the idiosyncrasies of Mexico from the perspective of a foreigner, and gain a clear understanding of the motivations of Mexican behavior. There is a fee of 200 pesos per participant for the event. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 766-2068.
Genealogy Forum
Local family history buffs will meet Monday, March 31, 2 p.m. in the Neill James Sala of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) for a discussion of using applications and products not specifically designed for genealogy.
The term given this process is “Hack Genealogy” but the group doesn’t intend to disclose ways to hack into subscription sites or computers. The genealogy group is also talking about the exciting new features available for old favorite software like FamilySearch and Google Earth.
With several new forum members, all attending this meeting will be asked to present a one-minute introduction about their general areas of research, latest discoveries, or current family history problems. Those attending often discover that another member is working on the same puzzle or is especially knowledgeable about a region or topic. Occasionally members find distant relatives within the group.
All levels of family historians are invited to attend the meeting. Attendees do not need to be LCS members. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies
Sparks fly and a revolt begins among Bolivia’s residents when the government sells all water rights, even rainwater, to a multi-national corporation in “Even the Rain,” the film chosen for the next Sunday Afternoon at the Movies series sponsored by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico.
Setting out to film a docudrama depicting how the indigenous population resisted the cruel exploits of Spanish colonials, an unsuspecting film crew lands in the middle of a modern-day revolt in Bolivia and quickly is deeply involved. Even imperfect resolution is elusive due to twisted history and personal conflict.
“Even the Rain” will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles on Sunday, March 30, 1:30 p.m at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic. Tickets are 50 pesos at the box office. The public is welcome.
Net proceeds are used to fund the sponsoring organization’s non-partisan voter registration and voter assistance programs for expats living at Lakeside.
LCS Seminars
Fred Harland will chair the Tuesday, April 1, noon seminar which is available for Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members. The TED podcast will be “Poverty, Money – and Love.” Jessica Jackley, who presents the topic, once believed that people in poverty needed “our” help in the form of a few coins in a jar. Jackley, the co-founder of Kiva.org, explains how her attitude changed – and how her work with microloans brings new power to people who live on a few dollars a day.
Bob Miller is featured in “Historical Fakes, Frauds, Forgeries and Phonies” in the 2 p.m. meeting as he investigates fraudulent, faked and forged “historical objects and archaeological discoveries.” His examples include Donation of Constantine, the Shroud of Turin, the remains of Noah´s ark on Mt. Ararat, the ossuary of James, brother of Jesus, and anything from Eric Von Daniken.
Season for Nonviolence
The closing celebration of the Season for Nonviolence will be held on Friday, April 4, at Club Exotica under the direction of Andrea Buenzli. The doors to the club space are accessed through The Jardin Restaurant on the Ajijic Plaza and will open at 6 p.m.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m. when the banner makers and some heroes for nonviolence will be honored. The ceremony, music, Tibetan Bowls, a love offering and other entertainment will be featured, along with dinner. To present a short story (three minutes), a song or poem email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
Lakeside British Society
Julie Ray, owner of Ray Travel Resources, will discuss solo travel and vacation, snowbirds and travel insurance during the Lakeside British Society meeting held at Manix Restaurant in Ajijic on Saturday, April 5, 1 p.m.
The menu options include a large dinner salad at 80 pesos, or priced at 120 pesos either the pork ribs with potato salad, coleslaw and green salad or grilled bass with tartar sauce, vegetables and green salad. Prices include the tip and rum cake for dessert.
Call Alicia McNiff at (376) 765-4786 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your menu choice to make a reservation. Visitors are welcome.
LCS Bus Trips
The next Lake Chapala Society shopping trip to Galerias Mall in Guadalajara is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 (moved from the originally announced April 10 due to a bus conflict). Galerias Mall and the adjoining areas include a variety of shopping outlets, including Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy, Zara, Sephora, Costco, Sams, Mega and more.
The bus leaves from the La Floresta sculpture at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. Shoppers can sign up for the trip at the LCS from Monday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is 250 pesos per person.
Avid area shoppers in need of a major shopping fix should mark their calendars now to reserve space for the upcoming May trip to McAllen, Texas. The group will leave lakeside on Sunday, May 4 and return on the morning of Thursday, May 8.
The price of the trip includes round trip on the deluxe bus, three nights at the Hampton Inn, breakfast on three mornings, bus transportation to all McAllen shopping areas and tips for the long distance drivers. Due to new taxes, the price is 7,000 pesos per person for a double room or 8,700 pesos for a single room. There is a non-refundable 1,000-peso deposit. Those interested should sign up at the LCS soon so that bus and hotel reservations can be made. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Canadian Club
Harvey Bliss, who has visited, eaten, and sipped his way through all the wine-growing areas of France and hundreds of its chateaus, is scheduled to present the program at the Canadian Club of Lake Chapala on Wednesday, April 9.
Bliss will explain that learning the basics of selecting enjoyable wines is not complicated. He’ll also help the audience recognize the good range of affordable wines available right here at Lake Chapala.
As a young lawyer active in local, national and international professional associations, Bliss managed to organize dozens of trips to France’s wine-growing regions.
The club’s annual general meeting will start the session at 3:30 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. A social hour will follow Bliss’ talk.
Open Circle
Madeleine Zeldin plans to give the Open Circle audience insight into the importance of advocacy –becoming involved in a cause for positive change while dealing with the problems that could be encountered with the modern medical system.
Zeldin’s book, “Our Last Dance,” honors the desire of Gerald, her late husband, to have the story of his seven-year battle with cancer told so that others can be helped. She hopes that while presenting this portrait of Gerald the audience will come to know him not just as a cancer patient but as a person who was passionate in all of his life roles.
Zeldin has advocated for changes in the medical field, including pioneering home birth and midwifery. She volunteered her professional nursing, medical and teaching services in countries including Africa, Jamaica, the Philippines, Canada and Mexico.
Open Circle begins at 10 a.m. with social time with coffee, tea and sandwich bites in the back patio of the Lake Chapala Society. The presentation begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.
Center for Spiritual Living
Practicing Compassionate Communication continues from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays through April 16. Learn to have mindful and empathetic conversations with friends, partners, family, and even difficult people.
The Thursday discussion group is sharing the book “A Thousand Names for Joy” by Byron Katie. The program begins with an optional meditation from 10 to 10:20 a.m. followed by discussion until noon.
The Spanish Language Group will be studying The Five Gifts from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays at 16 de Septiembre 30.
An April 8 through May 27 series for Building Healthy Relationships will include ways to grow in a relationship in order to have fun and playful connections and apply practical approaches to relationship problems. The 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday classes will provide a non-judgmental space for exploration and will be conducted by co-leaders Tim and Arlene Schubert. To register email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Center for Spiritual Living is at Nicolas Bravo 17, Ajijic. For information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 766-0920 or check www.cslchapala.com.
Passover Seder
The Chavurah Chapala Community is hosting their third Passover Seder on Monday, April 14, 5 p.m. The Passover Seder is the traditional celebration of the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt and is one of the most widely observed of all Jewish holidays.
The Passover meal served at Number Four, Donato Guerra 4 in Ajijic will include a choice of four entrees. The cost of the evening, excluding gratuity, will be 400 pesos.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a Sedar reservation form. Instructions for completing and submitting the form will be provided.
Chavurah Chapala is a community of Jews, independent of any formal religious organization, who gather for services, learning, socializing, and fun. For more information contact Maureen Davis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Shirley Kollin, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Unitarian Universalist
The topic of presenter Sandy Wallin for the service on Sunday, March 30, is “God is God; have you ever spoken of God or to God and, if so, what name did you use?”
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets at 10:30 a.m. at Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A in Ajijic. A coffee hour follows.
Christ Church
The theme of Rev. Danny Borkowski’s message on Sunday, March 30 is “Who’s Blind?” Christ Church Lakeside will observe the Fourth or “Laetare” Sunday in Lent by celebrating The Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at noon at La Sagrada Familia Mission in Mazamitla.
Christ Church will take the Church in a Box and a Moveable Feast to La Sagrada Familia with participants meeting at Farmacia Guadalajara at 9:15 a.m. Food to accompany the fried chicken and those with vehicles are greatly appreciated.
Deacon Rev. Rob Wells continues to lead Bible Study Tuesdays at 10 a.m. as the group examines the Gospel according to Matthew. Wells uses “The Jerusalem Bible” as his source text because of its copious notes and cross-references.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
The title “snake-oil salesman” is perhaps the ultimate indictment of phoniness. It is an accusation that someone is making a profit on the suffering of others by palming off some worthless substance with false claims. Yet, some “worthless” substances perform as advertised. Faith has the power to “turn on” the healing capacity present in our bodies.
Rev. Winston Welty recalls the Biblical story of the man who said, “I once was blind, but now I see,” in “The Placebo Effect,” his sermon for Sunday, March 30.
A time of refreshment, welcome and fellowship in the garden is set between the 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. services, The bilingual children’s Sunday School program begins at 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday, April 2, the fifth in the Lenten Bible Study, “A Fresh Look at the Lord’s Prayer” begins at 11 a.m. in the old office building. Each week’s session stands alone so participants can attend when possible.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
The Little Chapel
“Upside Down?” will be the title of the message delivered by Rev. Gene Raymer on Sunday, March 30, during the regular service of The Little Chapel by the Lake, an interdenominational congregation at Lake Chapala.
“Jesus seemed to turn the religious world upside down with His message of God’s love. But in retrospect, He was really turning things right side up,” says Rev. Raymer.
The congregation will meet for refreshments at 10:45 a.m. with the worship service beginning at 11:15 a.m. Following the service, most of the members join for a fellowship lunch at a local restaurant.
Midweek movies will continue Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m. with the showing of “Courageous.” Free refreshments will be provided with an intermission to give everyone a chance to stretch their legs and snack refills.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located on the mountain side of the Carretera, east of the Chula Vista golf course. All are welcome.