Open Circle
Karl Homann presents “Why the European Union Continues to be an Example of a Better World” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, June 30, 10:30 a.m. to noon on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Despite its challenges and attacks by populist and nationalist interests, the European Union remains the largest and most successful alignment of democracies in the world. Its fundamental values of peace, democracy, solidarity, freedom, prosperity, discovery, opportunity, equality, well-being, sustainability and unity in diversity are unmatched.
Karl Homann, a global citizen, European by birth, German by accident, Canadian by choice and a 13-year resident of Mexico, has just returned from a month in Europe (France, Germany and Spain), where he witnessed the recent election of the European Parliament and its president and the election of the new president of the European Commission. He will report on the past achievements of the Union, its future aspirations and its ongoing challenges.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Canada Day
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1 Chapala is celebrating Canada’s 152nd birthday, Monday, July 1, at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo (old train station) on Avenida Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. The party goes from noon to 4 p.m. with hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and birthday cake. Music is by DJ Phil with dancing and door prizes.
Special invited guests will include Dr. Carlos Lomeli, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s delegate in Jalisco and a former federal deputy; former Jalisco legislator Anahi Olguin; Chapala Mayor Moy Anaya and his wife Marianna Villenueva Ochoa; Canadian Vice Consul in Guadalajara Jonathan Steblin and U.S. Consulate General Robin Matthewman, among others.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available through June 25 at O’Rourke & Asociados in Centro Laguna 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..
Spanish at LCS
Register through July 1 for both Warren Hardy Spanish and Curious Expat courses, running July 2 to August 20 at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). Several levels of instruction are available.
For more costs and other information, call coordinator Vivian Sternfield at (376) 766-1140. or register online at lakechapalasociety.com/public/spanish-classes.php.
LCS courses
These courses, for LCS members only, will keep you in the know:
• Mexican hot cocktails: Tuesday, July 2, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Street Spanish, Monday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Legal aspects of non-profit associations in Mexico, Wednesday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mexican Manners, Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The costs and course descriptions for each course are available at lakechapalasociety.com or at the LCS office.
TED Talks
Social activist Monica Lewinsky presents “The Price of Shame” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, July 2, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
“Public shaming as a blood sport has to stop,” says Monica Lewinsky. Today, it has become constant – and can turn deadly. In a brave talk, she takes a hard look at our online culture of humiliation and asks for a different way.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society is offering a bus trip to the town of Amatitan and a tour of the Tres Mujeres tequila distillery, Thursday, July 4. Tastings and a Mexican meal are planned in the distillery’s restaurant. Thursday, July 18, LCS will take a bus to Galerias Mall/Costco in Guadalajara.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com/public/bustrip_form.php.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, July 6, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
A fun trivia game is planned.
Menu is a small salad, vicchysoise, coq au vin, potatoes and vegetables, seafood pasta or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon sorbet. The cost is 150 pesos plus drinks and tip.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Arleen Foster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance. Visitors welcome.
Vacation time for kids
If you know children from seven years of age up, invite them to the Chapala Public Library, which is offering a free summer program for children July 8 through August 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit the library at Juarez 508 in Chapala or call (376) 765-2571.
Medical professionals
The Lake Chapala Society is sponsoring a presentation by the Jalisco State Commission for Protection Against Sanitation Risks (Coprisjal) to help medical professionals of all stripes understand the forms and paperwork that must be completed to receive permission to advertise their services. The presentation will be given by Coprisjal staffers Ramon Avalos Huerta and Ana Maria Panduro on Wednesday, July 10, noon to 3 p.m. Each of the talks will last an hour and be followed by another 60 minutes of question-and-answer time.
Invited are doctors, dentists, therapists, massage therapists, retired living and nursing home administrators, pharmacists, laboratory managers, etcetera.
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, regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions and brief written instructions on meditation for beginners are provided.
Wednesday, July 3, the meditation period will be followed by a selection from talks given live at the 2019 Tricycle BuddhaFest. By special subscription, HoA will access the best of the best from teachers such as Robert Thurman, Roshi Joan Halifax, Sylvia Boorstein, Norman Fischer, Sharon Salzberg and Roshi Pat O’Hara. The video will be followed by a discussion period.
Every Monday in July the Community will screen a film from the recent Buddhafest in Los Angles, California. Admission is free. The July 1 film is “The Odd Monk.” Run time is 83 minutes.
The Tuesday Practice/Study group has been taking a break but will resume beginning July 2. The book is “Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening” by Joseph Goldstein. The group meets weekly from 3 to 5 p.m. Sessions begin with a silent meditation period followed by discussion of the week’s reading. Size is limited to ten participants.
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.
Body builders to compete in Atequiza
Male and female body builders will flex their muscles and show off taut physiques at the Copa Jalisco competition scheduled for Saturday, July 6 at the Teatro de Artes Escénicas in Atequiza, a satellite town of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. The event features competition in eight categories for men and six for women, starting at 5 p.m. Admission for spectators is 200 pesos paid at the door. Donations of pantry goods to support local shelters for children will also be collected at the entrance. Top contestants will qualify for entry, including transportation and lodging, at the Copa Prestige championship set for July 21 in Mexico City. Winners will also have opportunities to get into the World Beauty, Fitness and Fashion contest for amateur fitness models and bikini divas to be held in Miami, Florida in November.