Balloon Fest
Hot-air balloons will soar over Lake Chapala Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12 during the regional Feria del Globo Ribera de Chapala, headquartered at La Cristiania Park.
More modest excursions are scheduled in La Barca, Jamay, Ocotlán, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos and Tuxcueca.
The main event will showcase 15 balloons with space for four passengers, available for static elevation rides up to 35 meters into the air, operating Saturday and Sunday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. A Zeppelin-shaped airship with capacity for eight passengers will take off for open flights over the lake all three days, with departures running between 6 and 9 a.m. and 9 and 11 p.m. Tickets are selling fast for both rides, according to Chapala’s tourism chief Gaston de la Torre.
Chapala’s program begins Friday, with an inaugural parade at 5 p.m. Live entertainment at the park starts 6 p.m., with a balloon demo show at 8 p.m. Saturday, balloon shows for spectators is at 6 a.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., a Pool Party and DJ fest, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and music performances, 7 p.m. to midnight. Sunday, balloon shows are scheduled 6 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 11.30 p.m., with a repeat Pool Party starting at 10 a.m., and live music from 9 p.m.
A gastronomy pavilion, featuring fare by 12 restaurants, and a craft market are also at the festival.
Reservations for balloon rides should be booked in advance at web.superboletos.com/SuperBoletos/Jalisco. The straight up-down elevations cost 220 pesos in the morning schedule and 330 pesos after dark. Dirigible flights go for 1,320 pesos per person. Passengers are required to register on site an hour ahead of time to obtain boarding passes.
Admission to the fairgrounds is 55 pesos for adults, 33 pesos for children ages 3 to 12 for tickets purchased from Superboletos (77 pesos and 55 respectively at the gate).
Open Circle
Mariachi Real Axixic and Mariachi Infantil Cosalá will entertain the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. to noon on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Although they’ve been singing together for only a little over a year, this home-grown group has distinguished itself from all the others. Led by Dani Medeles, a member of the renowned musical family by that name, the instrumentalists have extraordinary technique combined with original arrangements. Medeles recently started a mariachi group of 14 children enrolled in the San Juan Children’s Choir and Orchestra. The kids will be performing this Sunday as well.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The next get-together of the Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chapter is Monday, May 13, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Restaurant, 16 de Septiembre 124 in Ajijic.
The program will include a stimulating video talk by Jeremy Grantham, co-founder and chief investment strategist of Grantham, Mayo & van Otterloo (GMO), a Boston-based asset management firm.
Grantham started one of the world’s first index funds in the early 1970s and is regarded as a highly knowledgeable investor in stock, bond and commodity markets. He is particularly noted for his prediction of several market bubbles, and has been a vocal critic of several governmental responses to the financial crisis experienced worldwide from 2007 to 2010.
Grantham, who is British, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2016 for his philanthropic service to climate change research. He will speak on “Why saving the environment is a wise investment strategy” and how climate change relates to his philosophy of “reversion to the mean.”
Members, visitors and newcomers are encouraged to come for his presentation and to meet like-minded folks.
Botanas will be served and there will be a cash bar. For more information on Democrats Abroad activities at Lakeside, 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..
TED Talks
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents “Are We in Control of Our Own Decisions?” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, May 14, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Sala. Open to LCS members only.
Ariely, the author of “Predictably Irrational,” uses classic visual illusions and his own counterintuitive (and sometimes shocking) research findings to show how we’re not as rational as we think when we make decisions.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Lakeside Freethinkers
The teleological argument is an argument for the existence of God or for an intelligent creator based on perceived evidence of deliberate design in the natural world. While without evidence, it is an argument many believers use.
David Ellison will chair the next meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers to discuss this interesting topic, Wednesday, May 15, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada restaurant. Dinner and additional discussion follow.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who as 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.
To attend or just obtain more information, 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..
LCS courses
• Warren Hardy Spanish classes run from May 6 to June 24. Several levels of instruction are available.
• Introduction to Spanish classes begin the second Tuesday of the month and run for three weeks from noon to 1:30 p.m. Both of these classes are for LCS members only. Sign up at the LCS office.
• Wednesday, May 15, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., learn about Mexican manners with Alfredo Perez at the LCS Sala.
The costs and course descriptions for each course are available at lakechapalasociety.com or at the LCS office.
Lake Chapala Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders meet Friday, May 17, 8 a.m. at Donas Donuts in Ajijic leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake (a 60-minute drive).
Expect to see wood storks, osprey and possibly a white-tailed hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12:30 p.m. lunch stop. The group returns to Ajijic about 3 p.m.
If you plan to go, email John Keeling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. least 48 hours ahead of time letting him know if you can bring a vehicle to help in carpool planning. Bird walks are open to both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars and a contribution for gas and tolls.
Yoga
Take your meditation practice and breathing exercises to the next level at the upcoming Iyengar yoga workshop on Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yogi Teresa Diaz from Oaxaca will teach the class at the Drishti Center, Allan W. Lloyd 152-C in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
CASA
Avril Stephenson and Bob and Janelle McTernan judged the presentations by members of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) at the April 22 meeting. Categories were brunch main course and fruit desserts.
In the brunch category, Monica Molloy took first place and presentation awards for her shrimp and bacon grits in puff pastry cups; Sally Meyers won second place for her Greek chicken and spinach pie; Roberta Kalan was third for her chic salmon and cucumber sandwiches, while Laure Hilden took the people’s choice award for her crepes Madagascar.
Charlotte Donaldson won first place in the dessert category for her strawberry s’mores; Steve Parker’s hand-rolled almond tuilles with chocolate accents with fresh berry meringue took second place, presentation and the people’s choice awards and Paco Rincon Camara won third place with his mini lemon fruit tartlets.
At the next meeting, Monday, May 20, at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Chapala (Sala La Estancia), the categories are cold soups or salads and cookies and bars. Information: www.ajijiccasa.org.
Grant program
During the spring, Charlie Klestadt has been soliciting donations to the Lakeside Charities Grant Program, which has funded 20 Lakeside charity projects in the last two years.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at the Grant Program, as it awards funds to non-profit projects that build our Lakeside communities? Perhaps you are a potential grant selection committee member or would enjoy helping with the Starlit Paella Dinner in early November.
Look for the next Grant Program application period for local projects to be announced in early July. Information: Margy or Ted Kaissier at (376) 766-4337 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..
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.
Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m.
On Wednesday, May 15, the meditation period will be followed by a reading and discussion. On Wednesdays, individuals are welcome to come for just the meditation period (4-4:45 p.m.), just the program and discussion period (4:50-5:50 p.m.), or both. The Wednesday session ends by 6 p.m.
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.
Fernanda needs your help
Fernanda is 8 years old and desperately needs help with her cancer treatments if she hopes to see another Christmas. An all-day event to help her is scheduled for Sunday, May 12 at Oui Oui Restaurant. Silent and live auctions, fashion shows by Bohemia (1:30 and 7 p.m.), live music by Daniel Cordero, Gary Lanz and Black Swan with Diamonds will bracket the breakfasts, lunches and dinners served up from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets, 150 to 400 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, Bohemia, El Bazar, Pancho’s Deli Market, Oui Oui and La Vie en Rose. Oui Oui is at Independencia 2, Ajijic, 766-1360. Donations for the auctions are accepted at Oui Oui and La Vie en Rose in downtown Ajijic.