Open Circle
Roy Quiriconi presents “Self Defense for Seniors” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 13, 10:30 a.m., on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Quiriconi will tell you how not to be a target, but if you are, then how to fight back. He is a black belt in Shaolin Temple karate and has studied Japanese sword fighting, Korean stick fighting andAikido. He was a saber fencer for many years and taught classes in self defense to both adults and children in the United States before coming to Ajijic
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Spanish at LCS
Mexican Street Spanish with Alfredo Perez, January 14, 10 a.m. to noon. (An intermediate Spanish level is needed for this class.) These classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
TED Talks
Rutger Bregman presents “Poverty isn’t a lack of character; it’s a lack of cash” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, January 15, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Dutch historian Bregman argues for a guaranteed basic income, because getting people out of poverty will unleash their talents and benefit us all.
For LCS members only.
Lakeside Freethinkers
Patrick Ryan and Chad Olsen have agreed to coordinate and co-chair the Lakeside Freethinkers meetings in 2019. Henry Laxen has also agreed to continue as the Freethinkers’ Secretary.
Arnold Smith, an assistant professor of Environmental Science, will discuss some general science theories and how they apply to freethought at the Freethinkers’ next meeting, Wednesday, January 16, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who is an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives. 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..
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) offers a bus trip to Galerias Mall and Costco in Guadalajara, Thursday, January 17.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and for departure times and cost of the trip.
Lake Chapala Birders
Friday, January 18, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet at 8.15 a.m. at the entrance to Cristiania Park in Chapala.
Expect to see an interesting selection of species in the tall trees and on the shore of the lake. The group will head to La Palapa de Don Juan at about 10:30 a.m. for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
How to get there: from Ajijic go to the traffic light at the main street of Chapala (Av. Madero), cross straight over and keep going straight for five blocks, turn left at the T intersection and park on the right.
Bird walks are open to all those interested in birds; just bring binoculars. If you plan on going, email John Keeling at least 48 hours ahead of time as to whether or not you can bring a vehicle to help with carpool planning.
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..
LCS courses on Mexico
The Lake Chapala Society offers its members a variety of courses in January to learn about the history and flavors of Mexico. Sign up at the LCS office.
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Mexican Winter Fruits, January 18, 10 a.m. to noon; Mexican Chilis and Salsas with Ana Moreno, January 22, 1 to 3 p.m. Alfredo Perez introduces you to Mexican Manners, January 24, 10 a.m. to noon.
Tails of Mexico
Spay-Getti No Balls 2019, an annual fund-raiser for Tails of Mexico, is held at the Raquet Club House in San Juan Cosala Saturday, January 19, 5 to 8 p.m.
Savor a delicious spaghetti dinner with Caesar salad and small dessert. A cash bar, door prizes, music by Abby and a dessert auction are just part of the fun. This event sold out last year.
Tickets, 400 pesos in advance, 450 pesos at the door, are available at donorbox.org/spaygetti-fundraiser.
Burns Supper
Niños Incapacitados will hold its Robbie Burns Supper benefit Friday, January 25 at the Hotel Real de Chapala.
A celebration of Scotland’s most famous bard, the event includes cocktails and dancing in the patio area and dinner in the Eucalyptus room. Tributes, toasts and singing, kilt-wearing bagpipers and Scottish country dancing precede a new dinner menu, plus a bit of the haggis and a wee dram of scotch.
For tickets, contact Jerry Croucher at (376) 766-2036, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or order online at programaninos.com. Tickets can be picked up and paid for at The Spotlight Club daily from 2 to 5 p.m.
Military Ball
The Legion of Honor of the Lake Chapala Shrine Club will host this year’s Military Ball Saturday, February 9, at the Hotel Villa Montecarlo in Chapala.
This formal event includes all Lakeside military groups: the Shrine Legion of Honor, The Royal Canadian Legion and American Legion Posts 7 and 9. Past members of the 904 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association and the Navy League also participate.
All veterans and supporters of the Lakeside military groups are welcome, as are any non-military guests.
Tickets, 450 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl; O’Rourke Investments (O&A); Jim Lovel, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Hugo Beauchemin, 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..
Jaltepec
The annual Open House for locals who are interested in learning more about Centro Educativo Jaltepec (hospitality school) is Tuesday, February 19, 11 a.m.
The school allows young women from all over Mexico to earn a degree in hoteleria, an achievement that in turn will likely change their lives.
Refreshments and hors d’ouevres will be served during a discussion of the history of the center, and its academic and scholarship programs. There will be a tour of the facilities followed by a luncheon served at 1 p.m. that will showcase the quality of education.
Seating is limited to 60 guests. Reservations: Linda Buckthorp, (376) 766-1631 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..
Jalisco driver’s license
The Lake Chapala Society offers members the opportunity to study for the driver’s exam Monday, February 25, and go to Guadalajara to obtain a new or renewed license, Tuesday, February 26, 7 a.m. Register and find out the fee for the course at the LCS office.
Tarahumara Project
Libby Townsend continues to collect donations for her Tarahumara Project’s annual yard sale to be held Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Donations can be dropped off at the Guadalajara Reporter office at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic, or arrange to have items picked up at (376) 766-3338 or 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..
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness Insight Meditation Community offers multiple opportunities each week for silent meditation: Sunday, 9 a.m., Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. All sessions are open to the public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are brief written instructions on meditation for beginners. There are no fees, but donations are always welcome. Sunday and Thursday, the meditation period is 60 minutes and includes sitting and walking. Wednesday’s “sit” is 45 minutes.
Wednesday, January 16, the meditation period will be followed by a video “Reclaiming the End of Life as a Human Experience” by Dr. B.J. Miller, one of the pre-eminent speakers on patient-centered care, palliative and end-of-life care.
A yoga class suitable for beginners and advanced students, is offered Thursday, 9 to 10:45 a.m.
The center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. Information: heartofawareness.org.