Holistic clinic
The third Sana-Clinica Pop-Up Clinic will be held Saturday, September 23, 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Mexico Refuge in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
This event offers a spa-like atmosphere where community members are invited to come and sample the healing modalities of local holistic practitioners. Services are offered on a donation basis. For more information, or further instructions, see sana-clinica.com.
Oktoberfest
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) brings on the “Om Pa Pa” at its Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, September 23, 2-6 p.m.
This year’s Oktoberfest has more of a Bavarian flair with live polka by the Alpenquartett, bratwurst, red cabbage, potato salad, German pretzels and Corazon de Malta beer.
Tickets are 120 pesos for LCS members, 150 pesos for non-members and 180 pesos at the gate. Available at LCS, Que Ganga and Diane Pearl.
Open Circle
Chuni Medeles, the Ajijic town administrator (delegado) representing the Chapala municipal government, will talk, listen and answer questions at the next meeting of Open Circle, held in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, Sunday, September 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Medeles will talk about the most pressing problems currently confronting our area. About half his time will be devoted to fielding questions and observations in a town hall format.
Medeles was born in Ajijic and grew up in the village he has come to represent since his election in 2016. As a native son he is dedicated to realizing his vision of an Ajijic that is clean, well-managed and culturally vibrant. He is a musician and music teacher, a member of the famous Medeles family of talented musicians. For six months prior to assuming his role as delegado, he directed the Centro Cultural Ajijic.
Since 2009 he has independently promoted the arts through his organization El Tachuihual: Art and Culture for All.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
Genealogy Forum
The next meeting of the Genealogy Forum is Monday, September 25, 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Phyl Gaskell will explore the subscription, or pay-as-you-go website FindMyPast. It has a collection of more than a billion records from around the world, including the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), Canada, the United States, Ireland and Australia. It has the largest number of Irish records of any site online, and many British records are exclusively there. Their British Newspaper Archive is an incredible source of information. It also provides guidance and training for the novice. The forum will include many tips on how best to search for your elusive ancestor. The Forum is open to all.
Ajijic Book Club
Members of the Ajijic Book Club (ABC) will read and discuss “The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland,” by Jim DeFede, Tuesday, September 26, 4 p.m. at Just Chillin, Constitution 32 in Ajijic.
This book covers the inspiring story of the acts of kindness by the residents of a small Canadian town who were suddenly confronted with the needs of the thousands of passengers on flights forced to land in Gander on September 11, 2001.
For more information, contact John Stokdijk at 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 seminar
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to attend a TED seminar on “The Pursuit of Ignorance,” by Neuroscientist Dr. Stuart Firestein, Tuesday, September 26, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
What does real scientific work look like? As Firestein jokes, it looks a lot less like the scientific method and a lot more like not knowing quite what we’re looking for. In this witty talk, Firestein gets to the heart of science as it is really practiced and suggests that we should value what we don’t know – or “high-quality ignorance” – just as much as what we know.
Fundraising dinner
Poco A Poco San Pedro Itzican is holding a fundraising event to help the residents of the indigenous areas of San Pedro, Agua Caliente, Chalpicote and other small lakeside villages.
“One Enchanted Evening” is slated for Saturday, September 30, 6:30 p.m. at a private home in Chula Vista Norte. Welcome drinks, food and live music are part of the 500-peso ticket price. A cash bar will be available. For more information, see pocoapocosanpedro.com.
LCS Bus Trip
A self-guided walking tour of Guadalajara’s downtown historic 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century architecture and their murals and artwork – including the stunning Instituto Cultural Cabanas – is one of the options for the next Lake Chapala Society bus tour Thursday, October 5.
Sit and people-watch in the beautiful plazas, have luncheon in the Plaza de los Laureles or elegant dining in the Hotel Mendoza or other fine eateries in the area.
A detailed map will be provided. The cost is 350 pesos for members, 450 pesos for non-members. The bus will leave 10 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.
Folk dancing
The new English Country Folk Dance group meets Sunday afternoons, 2:45-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar (the same building as The Naked Stage).
English Country Dance is like the dancing seen in movies from the 1700s and 1800s. The dancing is done to a walking step and all dances are taught first, then they called (prompted) while you are doing the dance. No experience is necessary and partners are not needed. Come by yourself or, even better, bring a partner or friend. Contact Catherine or Eric Luria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (376) 766-6119 for more information.
Enrich yourself
The Lake Chapala Society begins its Personal Enrichment Courses for the fall with “Introduction to Creative Writing” by Rachel McMillen, Tuesdays, October 3-24, 10 a.m. to noon, at the South Campus board room. Cost is 400 pesos.
Marshall Krantz offers up “A Novel Approach to Films” Wednesdays, October 4 to November 1, 2-5 p.m., in the LCS Sala. Cost is 750 pesos.
Francisco Nava continues his popular “Practical Gardening at Lakeside” courses Wednesdays, October 11- November 29, 9 to 10 a.m., in the garden area of LCS. Cost is 600 pesos.
Judy King gives a course on “Mexico’s Winter Holidays and Traditions,” Mondays, October 30-December 4, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is 600 pesos.
Sign up at the LCS office. For more information, see www.lakechapalasociety.com.
Canadian Thanksgiving
The Chapala branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and American Legion Post 7 Chapala are sponsoring a Canadian Thanksgiving celebration Monday, October 9, at the Casa del Musico restaurant in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Valet parking will be available. A social hour begins 2 p.m. and the traditional Thanksgiving dinner is served at 3 p.m. Door prizes, a meat draw and a 50/50 draw will be on tap. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 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 Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society begins its next round of Introduction to Spanish language classes for LCS members October 10 for three consecutive Tuesdays, noon to 1:30 p.m. This is a casual class offered for the beginner that covers the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases to use about town for shopping, and other useful information about the area Mexican culture. November classes begin October 31. The cost is 175 pesos. sign up at the LCS offices or via www.lakechapalasociety.com.
Lakeside Singles
The Lakeside Singles event coordinator is stepping down and the group is looking for a volunteer to perform this function. This position involves contacting restaurant/bar owners/managers to commit to hosting a Singles event once a month or so. If you are interested, 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..
Shopping in Texas
The Lake Chapala Society is sponsoring a Texas Shopping Extravaganza departing November 5 and returning November 8. The trip includes two full days of shopping in McAllen and three nights at the Hampton Inn, including breakfast and internet. Cost to members is $US499, non-members $US549. Final sign-up day is October 22. A non-refundable deposit of $US125 is required.
Behind the Walls
Tickets for much talked -bout “Behind the Walls” home tours fundraisers to benefit The School for Special Children are now available at Diane Pearl, Charter Club Tours or at the Ajijic Pier on the day of the tour (if not sold out).
Tour dates are November 16, December 14, January 25, February 22, March 22 and April 12. The cost is 200 pesos for regular tours and 400 pesos for the Christmas Tour and Holiday Festival. A 200-peso discount is offered if you purchase all of the tours. For more information, call Jessie at (376) 766-1438, Mary at (376) 766-6129 or Kath at (376) 766-0420.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Community Buddhist Sangha meditation and teaching session is on Wednesdays when the center is open from 3:30 p.m. with the formal schedule at 4 p.m. September 27, the meditation period will be followed by a discussion on the theme “Evaluating Our Practice” with the focus on “Insights and Benefit of Practice.”
The Community offers silent meditation opportunities several times each week: Sunday and Monday from 9-10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon for hour-long silent meditation, consisting of sitting and walking.
Wednesday and Saturday 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, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, 331-043-4669.