Christmas films at LCS
Lake Chapala Society (LCS) members can enjoy three classic films with a holiday theme on consecutive Saturdays, 2-4:30 p.m. in the LCS Sala.
Saturday, December 15: “White Christmas;” December 22: “Miracle on 34th Street” and December 29: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Popcorn and water are available for purchase.
Lake Chapala Birders
Lake Chapala Birders will hold its annual Ajijic area Christmas Bird Count Monday, December 17, 8 a.m. Several teams of five people, each with a leader and an assigned territory, will spend a day of intensive birding before joining in a dinner celebration, 6 p.m., when they share details of each team’s adventures.
The second Lake Chapala Christmas Bird count is Wednesday, December 19 at La Cienega (marsh), about 80 kilometers east of Ajijic. Two teams are assigned different parts of the dike across the lake. The teams leave Ajijic around 8 a.m. and meet for a sandwich lunch on the shore of the Lerma River.
Anyone interested in birding is invited to either or both events. Registration takes place, Saturday, December 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the home of Birders’ leader John Keeling, Condominium Villas del Tepalo, Callejon al Tepalos 140, Villa 46. Or call Keeling, (376) 766-1801, to arrange an alternate registration time.
Democrats Abroad
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad is working with the Los Gueros Motorcycle Club, the American Legion Post 7 and the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapala to provide toys and holiday meals to more than 350 very poor children in the Tepehua region of Chapala. Toys or cash donations will be very appreciated. All donated items will be given to the children Sunday, December 16.
Members who want to take part in delivering the toys can meet at the American Legion in Chapala on that day, 10:30 a.m. and join the parade, complete with fire trucks, motorcycles and vans. Those wishing to donate to the collection should bring to the party a wrapped, new toy for a child (cost between 100-150 pesos max). Mark on your gift to give to a boy or girl and age for recipient (newborn to 10 years old).
Regular monthly meetings will begin in January. 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..">.
Lake Chapala Shrine Club
Lake Chapala Shrine Club President David Eccles thanks Pedro Arellano for his generous support of the club’s very successful Dine with the Shrine event, held at Hacienda Don Pedro’s Restaurant Thursday, December 6. The event was attended by 71 people and raised more than 17,000 pesos for the transportation fund. The local Shrine club pays to transport patients and their parents to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.
Open Circle
The San Juan Children’s Choir will perform at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, December 16, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
After almost five years of studying, practicing, rehearsing, performing and being happy with their Music School at San Juan Cosala, the children and some parent-musicians and guests will present their annual holiday performance, “Making Peace.” Providing this new repertoire, which may appear easy and light for the audience, has taken a lot of preparation. The reward for the students has been to discover a power within themselves that was once hidden, but now set free through music.
“We look forward to our annual appearance with our good friends at Open Circle, where we are loved and feel more than welcome, where we feel accepted, valued, respected, appreciated, sometimes more than in our own community. We are happy, excited, and grateful whenever we play for the wonderful Open Circle,” said one student.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society offers bus trips to various Guadalajara metro area locations throughout the month: Galerias Mall/Costco, Monday, December 17; Tlaquepaque Forum Mall/Home Depot, Thursday, December 27.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and to learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members.
TED Talks
Kate Raworth presents “A healthy economy should be designed to thrive not grow” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, December 18, noon to 1:30 p.m.
What would a sustainable, universally beneficial economy look like? “Like a doughnut,” says Oxford economist Raworth. In a stellar, eye-opening talk, she explains how we can move countries out of the hole – where people are falling short on life’s essentials – and create regenerative, distributive economies that work within the planet’s ecological limits.
Hosted by Pete Soderman. LCS members only.
Progressive Action Group
The Progressive Action Group holds their annual Christmas get-together Tuesday, December 18, to discuss plans and actions for 2019.
The Progressive Action Group is a gathering of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to political problems. The group’s Facebook page is Progressive Action Group. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
Plaza celebration
Celebrate the season at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic Thursday, December 20, 2 to 6 p.m. A number of businesses including One of a Kind hand-painted gifts, Gypsies women’s clothing and accessories sizes 04-5x, Smokee’s previously loved women’s clothing, Dulce Robles Beauty Boutique, Coyote barber shop, the Jewelry Box, JWL LED lighting, and the Guadalajara Reporter newspaper office, will be serving up refreshments and holiday cheer.
Come get a present for yourself, your home or someone else, get a trim for the holidays, enjoy a treat or two and some pampering.
Stop by, say hi and see what’s new in Plaza Bugambilias, located on the Carretera just west of La Floresta.
LCS courses on Mexico
The LCS offers its members a variety of courses to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico in January.
A course on Dia de Reyes (Three King’s Day) is Monday, January 7, 10 a.m. to noon; Mexico Hot Cocktails and how they are made is Tuesday, January 8, 2 to 4 p.m.; Coming Home, with Judy King, runs from January 9 to February 13, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Children of Corn is January 9 to 24, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Understanding Mexican Law with Maria de las Nieves Sobles is January 11 to February 8, Fridays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Spanish at LCS
Sign up now for the seven-week Warren Hardy Spanish classes in January and February. Introduction to Spanish class is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning January 8. Both classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation.
Registration is now open for a residential retreat with visiting dharma teacher, DaeJa Napier, February 15-18, 2019. Information: heartofawareness.org.
“In Between Mountains and Oceans” will be screened at the Monday Movie Matinee, December 17, 3 p.m. The film is a documentary debut by acclaimed Japanese photographer Masaaki Miyazawa. No fee is charged but donations are welcome.
Wednesday, December 19, the meditation period will be followed by a video teaching by meditation teacher and coach Anushka Fernandopulle. She explores how dharma practice can help us awaken to the ways we manifest as leaders in the world, developing the values of compassion, integrity, and wisdom.
The meditation center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.