Open Circle
Ed Tasca will present “Creationism vs. Darwinism, with Final Commentaries from Darwin and God” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Tasca will do flash sketches impersonating the tone and style of now famous comics and humorists, all on the subject of Creationism vs. Darwinism, with an intro from Darwin and a closing from God.
Ed Tasca is a writer, novelist, playwright and essayist. His works have been published in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Italy and Mexico. He currently writes a weekly humor column for the Guadalajara Reporter and does some acting. He has had his Mark Twain play performed at the Lakeside Little Theater, with Tasca portraying the great humorist.
April 21, Janet Reichert presents “The Why, What, and How of Meditation.”
April 28, Will Gallucci discusses “What Exactly Is Rolfing?”
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Film Festival will continue for the next three Sundays at the Cinemagic Theater in Ajijic’s Plaza Bugambilias.
The schedule for the next three weeks is: April 14, “Bleed Out”; April 21, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and April 28, “BlacKkKlansman.”
The movies begin at 1:30 p.m.
“Bleed Out” examines the harsh reality of medical errors, which, according to a 2016 Johns Hopkins study, kill more than 250,000 people in the United States every year, making it the third leading cause of death in the country. The film delves into the flawed U.S. healthcare system using undercover footage and personal stories, and questions what its future might be.
“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” takes a moving, intimate look at Fred Rodgers, who appeared for over 30 years on television’s “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
“BlacKkKlansman,” directed by Spike Lee, uses history to bitingly offer a commentary on current events.
Proceeds from the series help fund the chapter’s non-partisan voter support at Lakeside. 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 Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders meet Monday, April 15, 8 a.m. at La Cristina on the west side of Ajijic.
Expect to see some shore birds, some birds in the tall trees and other birds in the scrub. At about 10. a.m. the group will head to Fonda Dona Lola for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
Monday, April 29, the Birders meet at Donas Donuts, 8 a.m., leaving immediately via carpool for the Cajititlan Marsh (a 30-minute drive). Expect to see a variety of marsh and lake birds such as black-necked stilt and American avocet.
The group then meets at 10:15 a.m. at Las Delicias restaurant in Chapala for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 48 hours ahead indicating if you can contribute to the carpool.
TED Talks
Thomas Curran presents “Our Dangerous Obsession with Perfectionism Is Getting Worse” at the next TED Talk, Tuesday, April 16, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the LCS Sala. Open to LCS members only.
Curran explores how the pressure to be perfect – in our social media feeds, in school, at work – is driving a rise in mental illness, especially among young people. Learn more about the causes of this phenomenon and how we can create a culture that celebrates the joys of imperfection.
Hosted by Susan Weeks. For LCS members only.
Tuesday, April 23, psychologist Martin Seligman discusses “The New Era of Positive Psychology.”
Tuesday, April 30, neuroscientist Anil Seth talks about “Your Brain Hallucinates Your Conscious Reality.”
Ajijic Men‘s Circle
Do you lack male friendships with substance? Do you still have “issues” in your life? Do you sometimes react, lash out, feel frustrated, angry or depressed? Are there experiences in life you desire or things you want to accomplish but they are not happening?
Join Sheldon Weinstein, a psychologist with 30 years experience working with men as a leader in the ManKindProject. Find out how men’s groups work and experience the benefit of being in a circle with other men, Tuesday, April 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nicolas Bravo 17, Ajijic. All men welcome. Information: Tim, (376) 766-0920.
Lakeside Freethinkers
While our members are all “freethinkers,” what kind of freethinker are we? Many of us don’t like to be “labeled,” but it is how we communicate with each other. Just what kind of secular person are you?
David Ellison will chair the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers, Wednesday, April 17, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada to discuss these and other questions.
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) is offering a bus trip to Costco and Galerias Mall, Wednesday, April 17.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips for members and non-members. Registration and payment can now be made online.
Genealogy Forum
The Genealogy Forum will meet Monday, April 29, 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Riberas del Pilar. Libby Colterjohn will discuss how to use genealogical research programs to anchor memoir and family biographies with recorded facts. She will also share a couple of photobooks she used to record family history. A Legacy Family Tree Webinar on surnames entitled “What’s in a Surname: The History of Surnames and How They Help in Family History Research,” will also be shown.
The Genealogy Forum is open to all. There are no dues. Whether you are just starting to research your family tree or you are an experienced genealogist, The Forum will have something for you.
LCS courses
• Study to take your Mexican Driver’s License test, Monday April 29, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and then go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license Tuesday, April 30, 7 a.m.
• Take Warren Hardy Spanish classes, May 6 to June 21.
Sign up at the LCS office.
British luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, May 4, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. Rosemary Woodruff will describe how she ended up in Mexico over 37 years ago, and why she stayed.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance.
Puppy love
Help the Ranch Dogs! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Sunday, May 5, 5 to 7 p.m., at La Bodega Restaurant. This fundraiser includes live music, a Mexican buffet and a 50/50 raffle. Reservations (376)766-1002.
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. There are no fees and all sessions are open to the public. Chairs and cushions and brief written instructions on meditation for beginners are provided.
Monday, April 15, the Community screens the documentary “Ub Lama,” the story of a modern Mongolian “tween.” In a small yurt on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, 12-year-old Galaa’s life is turned upside down when his father dies in a tragic accident. As his family struggles to make ends meet, he drops out of school to sell goods on the black market. His mother urges the hip-hop loving boy to continue his education, but torn between tradition and modernity, Galaa sets out to become a monk and move to the monastery.
Wednesday, April 17, the meditation period will be followed by the third in a series of teachings on “The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiving Ourselves and Others.” The videos feature Gina Sharpe, co-founder of the New York Insight Meditation Center.
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.
Palm sunday village fair
Ajijic’s Jamaica del Pasado, set for Sunday, April 14, recreates an old-fashioned village fair with typical foods, liquid refreshments, traditional games and hand-painted eggshells stuffed with confetti offered to raise funds for the putting on the annual Passion Play.
Cooks without equal
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) celebrated its annual awards banquet Wednesday, March 27, at Janelle’s Garden Restaurant. Emcee Carol Westbrook presented 11 first-place, six second-place and four third-place awards, as well as one for the most points and four coveted BING awards. BING winners , from left, were Monica Molloy, Michele Lococo, Janet Jorch and Westbrook. CASA also presented restaurant owners Janelle and Bob McTernan with a certificate of appreciation for the fantastic three-course meal, the extraordinary presentation of the food and the top-notch service.