Open Circle
Sandy Britton will present “More Than a Feeling” at the next meeting of at Open Circle, held in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Sala, Sunday, August 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Human emotion has long been considered too subjective to be studied by science, but the relatively new discipline of Affective Neuroscience is changing all that. Learn what the latest research says about why we have emotions, how they can help or hurt us, and how to develop your “emotional intelligence quotient.”
Britton is from northern California. Her background is in software development, but she’s always had a fascination with the “computer” between our ears. She combines her love of brain science and public speaking to bring you this talk.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
Heart of Awareness
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha screens its monthly movie offering, “Wandering” Monday, August 21, 3 pm. The film tells the story of Nob, an aging Thai villager. It is a story not of redemption but of renunciation, and it offers a rare look into a Thai Forest monk’s ascetic practice. The monthly films are offered free of charge. Donations are welcome.
The Sangha offers meditation opportunities several times each week.
The regular meditation and teaching session is on Wednesdays when the center opens at 3:30 p.m. and formal meditation begins at 4 p.m. August 23, the meditation period will be followed a video teaching by Ruben L. F. Habito, a Filipino former Jesuit priest turned Zen master. “We Are All Refugees: Seeking Our True Home” is the series title and this week’s talk is “Finding Freedom in Interconnectedness.” The gathering ends by 6 p.m.
There are three additional hour-long silent meditation opportunities each week: Sundays and Mondays from 9-10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, from 9-11 a.m., Latika Pierrette Claude offers a gentle and spiritual yoga practice at the Center.
The Heart of Awareness is grounded in the teachings of the Buddha. Prior experience or affiliation is not required.
The center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For more information, go to heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, 331-043-4669.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to attend a TED seminar, hosted by Susan Weeks, on “Four Environmental Heresies” by Stewart Brand, Tuesday, August 22, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Brand helped usher in the environmental movement in the 1960s and ‘70s. He has been rethinking his positions on cities, nuclear power, genetic modification and geo-engineering
LCS Bus Trips
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a bus trip to the crafts centers of Tonala and Tlaquepaque Wednesday, August 23. This is a great chance to browse and buy handicrafts at modest and upscale retailers. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Monday, August 28, the LCS heads to Galerias Mall in Guadalajara, where you can enjoy free afternoon concerts by various mariachi groups participating in the International Mariachi Festival (see page 19). The bus departs promptly at 1:30 p.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
The cost for either trip is 350 pesos for members and 450 pesos for non-members. Sign-up is available at the LCS office during regular office hours, Monday through Saturday or via the LCS website, lakechapalasociety.com.
LCDBC
The Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club (LCDBC) has dispersed funds collected for two charities: Lucky Dog Animal Shelter and UVA (University Vocational Assistance) Scholarship Program. From left, UVA President Sue Torres accepts a check from Mike Roney, manager of LCDBC, while Bob McKeown, treasurer of Lucky Dog accepts a check from Jean Treloar, treasurer of LCDBC. LCDBC is an accredited ACBL bridge club located in Riberas del Pilar next to Mom’s Deli and counts more than 180 members that pay extra game fees each month towards the two charities that they support. For more information, go to bridgewebs.com or call Mary Ann Waite, 766-0887.
Assistance BBQ
Ranger BBQ will put on a fundraiser for the Lakeside Assistance Group (LAG), Saturday, August 26, 1 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo. This event will feature Redes y Cantos, a 19-person romantic Mexican music group from Guadalajara.
LAG works with U.S. and Canadian firefighters and other groups to bring high-quality used equipment to fire departments in north shore Lake Chapala towns. Since 2015, LAG has delivered three containers of firefighting equipment from Ontario and British Columbia worth about $US10 million to 47 fire stations in Jalisco with the priority going to nearby locations in Chapala, Jocotepec and Poncitlan.
Two more containers of donated Canadian firefighting equipment are ready for shipment (one each in Vancouver and Toronto) as soon as LAG processes the Mexican Customs clearance forms and successfully raises sufficient funds to pay the US$4,000 shipping fees.
Join LAG and friends at the BBQ Rib Fundraiser to help fund these shipments. If you cannot join the party, donations are welcome at Diane Pearl or calling LAG at 331-768-0676 (cel).
Tickets are available at the Tuesday Market, Diane Pearl, John Kelly, 331-768-0676 (cel) and Perry King, 763-5126.
LCS music festival
The Lake Chapala Society is putting on a fun festival, Saturday, August 26, featuring Mike the Suspects, the Funky Drivers, La Catrina and Guadalajara band Roll Up. Food will be provided from Alex’s Pasta Bar and sweets and treats from the Café Corazon. A cash bar and Corazon de Malta craft beer will be available.
Tickets, 120 pesos for LCS members, 170 pesos for non-members and 200 pesos at the door, are available at LCS, Que Ganga and Diane Pearl.
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society begins Spanish language classes for LCS members Monday, August 28, running through October 14. Classes meet two days a week for 90-minute sessions at the Wilkes Education Center.
The LCS Spanish program uses the Warren Hardy Spanish language course which is designed for the adult student. Several levels of instruction are available. The Program Manager’s assistant will be available to answer questions and take registrations every day during the week of August 21-25, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on LCS’ blue umbrella patio. For more information visit the LCS website: lakechapalasociety.com.
Fundraiser for firefighter
The Cave is holding a fundraiser for injured firefighter Heriberto “Erick” Garcia Medina, whose family is facing a hefty hospital bill.
The event is Friday, September 1, 8-11 p.m. and includes music and entertainment, raffle prizes and gifts, a DJ and dance competition and more. Tickets, 150 pesos, are available at the Cave, Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique or via Alicia, 331-466-9839 (cel), or Ady, 331-512-7961 (cel). The Cave is at Hidalgo 159 in San Antonio, next to Fenix Real Estate.
Education
Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club is kicking off their fall season with a dinner party and silent auction to raise funds for the Save the Future with Education (SAFE) Scholarship Fund, Saturday, September 9, 5:30 p.m.
The gala evening includes cocktails and gourmet hors d’oeuvres followed by a three-course chateaubriand dinner catered by Manix Restaurant and a selection of fine wines to complement the meal. Live jazz by Dos Juntos features Mike Leisenbach on sax and flute and vocals by Karen Procter.
You can bid on some great items including a dream week in a luxury hotel in any one of many cities around the world, custom-made wooden furniture, a Lake Chapala boat trip with lunch for six and lunch and dinner at popular lakeside eateries.
The evening’s host is Blair Ferguson at Rio Amazonas 17-B in Rancho del Oro.
Tickets, 700 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl. RSVP before Thursday, September 7 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 333-142-3038 (cel).