Donations
Poco a Poco has united with the efforts of the Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club and Manix Restaurant to collect food and supplies to be sent to earthquake victims.
Most in need are bottled water, non-perishable canned food with pop tops, beans, rice, soups, peanut butter, instant coffee, sugar packets, powdered milk, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, cleaning items, personal hygiene products, pet food and flashlights and radios with new batteries.
Supplies can be left at Manix Restaurant (Ocampo 57, Ajijic) through Friday, September 29, 9 p.m.
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).
The dancing is done to a walking step and all dances are taught first, then they are 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.
Open Circle
Dean Niles will give a presentation entitled “Why I Call It Yoga” at the next meeting of Open Circle, held at the Lake Chapala Society Sala, Sunday, October 1, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Niles will explain his philosophy of Yoga and the difference between classical and modern yoga. He will discuss the different modalities he has borrowed from and provide examples of exercises the audience can do at home. He will demonstrate how to release participants in some breathing exercises, also explaining their importance, and conclude with a deep relaxation exercise.
Niles has lived 22 years in Mexico and taught both regular yoga and chair yoga. He lived almost 11 years in the Kripala Yoga Center studying many types of yoga. He is 87 years old and his good health and vigor attest to the value of practicing yoga and staying flexible.
For more information, go to opencircleajjic.org.
Quake relief show/dinner
El BarCo in Ajijic is putting on a dinner show to benefit the most affected areas hit by the recent earthquakes. Four chefs will each serve one tapa per person and La Flamencoza Crazy Band will perform. Enjoy the fun and help the needy Monday, October 2. Tapas are served from 6 p.m. with the band playing 7:30 p.m. The host is Carlos Pantoja and the chefs include Allan Brambila from Masayume (Japanese), Fernando Kabande from Kamellos (Lebanese), Edgar Villarello from Cocina Variedades (contemporary Mexican) and Oscar Perez from Jardín de Ninette (Mexican-French flair). Tickets, 300 pesos, are for sale at El BarCo.
LCS seminar
Lake Chapala Society members are invited to attend a TED seminar on “The Evolution of Compassion,” by journalist and philosopher Robert Wright, Tuesday, October 3, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Wright uses evolutionary biology and game theory to explain why we appreciate the Golden Rule (“Do unto others ...”), why we sometimes ignore it and why there’s hope that we might all have the compassion to follow it.
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.
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 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.
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, October 7, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Rosemary Grayson will give two extracts from her memoirs: “Here come the judge topless” and “Hold the front page, please no.”
Menu choices begin with a small salad or carrot soup; choice of fish fillet in mushroom sauce, beef casserole, cheese and mushroom crepes or a large salad. Dessert is lemon tart with cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue Morris at 766-0847 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
Author to speak
Renowned U.S. author and journalist Nomi Prins will speak at an event sponsored by Democrats Abroad Mexico-Lake Chapala Chapter and the Ajijic Book Club on October 10.
Prins wrote “All the Presidents’ Bankers (The hidden alliances that drive American power)” in 2014. The book is a groundbreaking narrative of how an elite group of men transformed the U.S. economy and government, dictated foreign and domestic policy, and shaped world history. Culled from original presidential archival documents, “All the Presidents’ Bankers” delivers an explosive account of the 100-year interdependence between the White House and Wall Street that transcends a simple analysis of money driving politics – or greed driving bankers.
The event will be on Tuesday, October 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at La Casa del Musico, La Paz 59 in San Antonio Tlaycapan. Food and beverages will be available. For more information, contact Dee Dee Camhi, 331-295-5795 or John Stokdijk, 331-760-9307.
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society begins its next round of Introduction to Spanish-language classes for LCS members, Tuesday, 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.
Scottish country dancing
The first Scottish Country Dance class of the year will be a ceilidh with lots of easy dances for everyone to try. The date is Thursday, October 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society Gazebo.
If you are reasonably active and want to keep fit – and Scottish music (not bagpipes) sets your toes tapping – this is an excellent class for you. No partners are required. This is the social dancing of Scotland, not the Highland Fling. The free classes will run each week through the end of March and are for LCS members only.
Behind the Walls
Tickets for the much talked-about “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 the tours.
For more information, call Jessie at (376) 766-1438, Mary at (376) 766-6129 or Kath at (376) 766-0420.
CASA
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) is sponsoring five culinary students from the Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Chapala. The students are in their third (out of nine) semester of study. They are all proactive in the club and participate in the monthly meetings. During the Ajijic Regata de Globos September 9, the students helped set up CASA’s balloon liftoff and also were able to promote their studies to the crowd, raising enough funds to support one student for a semester. Getting ready for the launch were (L-R) students Eduardo Andres Perez Espiritu, Janet Corona Torres, Ali Hammurabi Ochoa Velazquez, CASA Secretary Roberta Kalan, student Ana Maria Del Refugio Bautista Trujillo, Globo master Lalo Palma and CASA Past President and Special Events Coordinator Monica Molloy. For more information on helping these students, contact 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..
Health Day
The Lake Chapala Society has scheduled its annual Health Day for Friday, October 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Neill James Patio.
A three-strain flu vaccine is available lakeside in mid-September, but a more inclusive four-strain vaccine (Fluzone Tetraionte) is recommended and is not available in Mexico until mid-October. LCS will offer this four-strain flu vaccine. Other immunizations to be offered are pneumonia, shingles, and hepatitis.
In addition to shots, Health Day will include blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, hearing and optometrist services, and a possible CPR course. More details to follow.
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.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers meditation opportunities several times each week. Sunday, October 1, the meditation center is open from 9 a.m. until noon for three rounds of sitting and walking meditation. Participants are welcome to come for all or part of this period. Two additional hour-long silent meditation opportunities are offered Mondays, 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon.
The Sangha’s regular meditation and teaching session is Wednesday, when the center is open from 3:30 p.m. The formal schedule begins at 4 p.m. October 4, meditation will be followed by a video teaching by Tara Brach, “Bowing to the Mystery vs. Wearing our Egoic Spacesuit,” from her series “Relaxing the Over-Controller.”
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 further information, visit www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, 331-043-4669.