U.S. Voter Assistance
All U.S. and dual-U.S. citizens who will not be in the United States this fall need to request their absentee ballots before the general deadline of Saturday, September 22 (for most states), to ensure ballot submission in time for the elections.
Representatives of Democrats Abroad are available at the Lake Chapala Society every Tuesday through October 23 from 10 a.m. to noon on the Blue Umbrella Patio to assist any U.S. voter in making applications for ballots for the November midterm 
elections.
Thrill the World
Rehearsals for “Thrill the World Ajijic 2018” are ongoing Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-3 p.m., at the Ajijic Cultural Center. They continue until the show Saturday, October 27, 4 p.m., when hundreds of spectators will pack the plaza.
Anyone can come and learn the dance; no experience is necessary. Plenty of dance captains will be on hand around to help you, so come and have fun and raise some money for the Red Cross.
Questions? Contact Val Jones or Dee Grant at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit facebook.com/TTWAjijic.
Open Circle
Dr. Victor Youcha, D.C. will present “Implications of the Law of Karma for You“ at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, September 23, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Dr. Youcha will continue his discussion, begun several years ago, of spiritual law, delving deeper into the law of karma and its implications for us in this lifetime. Other spiritual laws will also be discussed.
Dr. Youcha is a chiropractor with a practice in Ajijic, who also teaches the chiropractic profession in Latin America. He has been a student of spirituality most all his life, having studied yoga and meditation at Swami Satchitananda’s ashram in Santa Cruz, California, and then as a devotee of the Guru Maharaji. Later he studied with Lakota and Ojibwe spiritual teachers – meditation, Yoga, Qigong, sweat lodge ceremonies and vision quests. For the past 17 years, he has been a student of spiritual law through teachings derived from Eckankar.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Grant applications
The Outreach Committee of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church will accept applications for grants from Lakeside charities through Monday, September 24. These grants will be awarded in October.
Grant application forms are the same as used in the past. For forms and instructions, 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.. This round of grants is made possible by the success of the resale/consignment store Todo Bueno in Riberas del Pilar.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure screenings are available to the public Mondays, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lake Chapala Society.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum is resuming its monthly meetings at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Ribera del Pilar (across the Carretera from Mom’s Deli) Monday, September 24, 1 p.m. This month’s topic will be “How did they die? Researching natural disasters, epidemics and accidents.”
The presentation will be short and the Forum encourages members and guests to share travels to their homelands or discoveries made during the summer. If you have resolved any brick wall, we would very much like to hear about your success. Your suggestions for future meetings would also be welcomed. Everyone is invited. There are no dues.
Information: Fran Murphy, (376) 766-0067.
LCS TED Talks
Educator Daphne Koller will discuss “What We’re Learning from Online Education” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, September 25, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society Sala. LCS members only.
Koller is enticing top universities to put their most intriguing courses online for free — not just as a service, but as a way to research how people learn. With Coursera (cofounded by Andrew Ng), each keystroke, quiz, peer-to-peer discussion and self-graded assignment builds an unprecedented pool of data on how knowledge is processed.
Basic Yoga
Learn how to safely move to maintain your alignment while becoming comfortable with yoga poses and transitions. Bring a mat. Chairs are available. Every Wednesday, 2-3 p.m., on the LCS gazebo, for LCS members.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society heads to Costco and Galerias mall in Guadalajara, Wednesday, September 26. Major retailers include Best Buy, Sears, Home Store and restaurants PF Chang, Cheescake Factory and more. Also shop at Costco, Sams and Mega.
The bus departs 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. Cost is 370 pesos for members and 470 pesos for non-members.
A trip to Tonala is planned for October 10.
Tech classes
Lake Chapala Society members can take technology classes with Mike Goss Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., in the LCS sala. Sign up at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your membership number and expiration date.
September 27: Tech Security: Discuss viruses, protecting your data and VPNs.
Chapala Birders
Friday September 28, the Chapala Birders will carpool at Donas Donuts, 8 a.m., leaving for Las Trojes (one hour away), to hike the Horizontal Oak Forest Trail. The group will hike to the edge of the hidden valley (3 hours hiking uphill, 2-hours downhill). Don’t expect many birds, but the hike is very pleasant and you may see a red-faced warbler. Return to Ajijic about 4 p.m. Bring refreshments and sandwiches for lunch at noon at the top.
E-mail John Keeling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 48 hours ahead of time if you wish to go and mention if you can bring a vehicle.
Cooking class
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) hosts cooking classes with guest instructor Marie-Lyse, an award-winning Cordon Bleu chef from Sri Lanka, Monday and Tuesday, October 1 and 2, noon to 5 p.m. The classes are limited to 16 people each.
The menu to be created includes potato Bhaji Pakoras, rice vermicelli Buriani, two chutneys, Sri Lankan prawn curry and poached Ataulfo mango mousse.
To register or for information: 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..
Introduction to Spanish
Classes for LCS members begin Tuesday, October 2, and run for the first three Tuesdays of the month. Sign up and pay the course fee of 220 pesos in the LCS office.
Lakeside Singles
The next mixer for the Lakeside Singles is Thursday, October 4, 4-6 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57, Ajijic. If you plan to attend, e-mail 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..
Mexican holidays
Author, journalist and long-time Ajijic resident Judy King will teach a Lake Chapala Society Personal Enrichment Program course on Mexico’s Winter Holidays and Traditions Wednesdays beginning October 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the LCS south campus board room. King will help you understand the fascinating traditions surrounding Mexico’s winter holiday season. Minimum enrollment is 11 students. Sign up at LCS office by October 4.
British Society
The Lakeside British Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, October 6, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
The speaker will be Inez Dayer, who will give her insight into sharing your ability to speak English with our hosts, the Mexican community.
Menu choices begin with a small salad or oxtail soup; choice of ribs, coleslaw and beans or fish pie or a large salad with protein. Dessert is apple pie with ice cream. The cost is 150 pesos plus tip.
Contact Sue Sterlini at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sue Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to confirm your attendance and menu choice.
LCS health day
The Lake Chapala Society will hold a health day event open to the public Tuesday, October 16, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m at the LCS Patio. The following shots will be offered: Flu, Pneumonia for Life (Prevnar 13), Pneumonia - 5 year, Typhoid, DPT (Tetanus), Shingles (Zostavax). Sign up for shots in the LCS office and get shot price information.
There will also be blood pressure screenings, glucose/diabetes screenings, medication/supplement consultations and a presentation by Catherine Gonzales (SkyMed) on “Making a Health Care Plan … Before You Need It,” from 10-11 a.m. in the sala.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sundays, 9 a.m., Wednesdays, 4 p.m., and Thursdays, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided as well as brief written instructions on meditation for beginners.
Wednesday, September 26, the meditation period will be followed by an audio from the “Waking Up” series. Sam Harris and Joseph Goldstein answer the question “Why Meditate?”
A yoga class is offered by Latika Claude Thursdays, 9-10:45 a.m.
The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.