Mental health art exhibit
The Chapala Mental Health Module is presenting an exhibit commemorating the Jalisco week of human rights and social inclusion of people with mental disorders.
“The Color of My Emotions” opens Friday, July 26, 6 p.m. on the esplanade of the Ajijic Cultural Center.
Open Circle
David Ellison presents “Bloodletting: Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
During his 35-year career, teacher, teacher-trainer, administrator and education columnist David Ellison has fought tenaciously against what has posed as education reform in the United States. Standardized testing, vouchers, charters, and even the more recent Common Core Standards are destroying public education because, like bloodletting, they fail to acknowledge, much less address, the real maladies, what Ellison refers to as “Voldemorts,” those which must not be named.
In his Open Circle presentation, Ellison will briefly review the motives behind the “reform” strategies, cite the data demonstrating their failure, dare to mention the real issues, and end with a bold plan for real reform. Ellison currently instructs high school history in Union City, California. In 2014, he published his second book, “Bloodletting: Why Education Reform Is Killing America’s Schools” (Stairway Press).
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
A second two-day “Debate Watch” on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30 and 31 has been organized by the Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chapter to hear the Democratic presidential primary candidates speak in Detroit, from 7 to 9 p.m. This time the Debate Watch will take place at El Bar Co. on the Carretera (33-A) next to the Pemex station, where ample front door parking is available. A 50-peso cover charge will include a free beer, wine, soft drink or margarita, and bar food will be available for purchase.
The current candidates are: Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet; former Vice President Joe Biden; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker; Montana Gov. Steve Bullock; South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg; former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro; New York Mayor Bill de Blasio; former Maryland Rep. John Delaney; Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard; New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand; California Sen. Kamala Harris; former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper; Washington Gov. Jay Inslee; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren; author Marianne Williamson and businessman Andrew Yang. Bullock replaces California Rep. Eric Swalwell who has withdrawn from the race.
Chapter members, visitors and newcomers to Lakeside are encouraged to bring their friends and cheer for their favorite candidates. Come a little early to get good seats! For more information on Democrats Abroad activities at Lakeside, write to: 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..
Learn about the Tarahumara
The Tarahumara are one of the largest of the 62 indigenous groups still alive in Mexico. They have held on to their beliefs and customs, refusing to westernize their ways. By understanding one indigenous group, you understand the core of them all.
During a 45-minute visual presentation, you will see for yourself why Copper Canyon is such an alluring destination. Much more than the historic train ride through breathtaking scenery, it is a close encounter with the Tarahumara.
Karuna Yes Tours will present an overview of this indigenous community and their wild and largely untouched Copper Canyon home, Thursday, August 1, at the Real de Chapala Hotel at 11 a.m. Free admission. RSVP: 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..
Disc Golf Tournament
Chapala will host its first Parajetes Open Disc Golf Tournament Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, at a challenging 12-basket, 18-hole course in Parque Cristiania. The event is the first in Mexico sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). The game is played in about 40 countries and currently there are over 115,000 active members of the PDGA worldwide (as of 2018).
The Parjaretes tournament is a two-day event with 54 holes of golf planned. August 3, players will meet at 7:45 a.m. to hear PDGA rules before the 8:05 a.m. tee time for a round of 18 holes in an amateur PDGA sanctioned event. The afternoon singles event on Saturday is also 18 holes, ending in time for a little glow disc fun. Players meet at 6 p.m. Tee time is 6:20 p.m.
Sunday, a doubles tournament players meeting begins 8 a.m. with an 8:20 a.m. tee time.
Pajaretes (made from alcohol-laced raw milk) are available to all registered players over 18 years of age.
Teams will be assigned based upon the results of the previous day’s singles scores: best with worst and meet in the middle.
Registration: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 331-604-5701.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, August 3, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Phil Rylett asks “How can we maintain the tradition of the great British eccentrics?”
Menu is a small salad, carrot and ginger soup, steak pie, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy, cauliflower cheese or a large salad with protein. Dessert is chocolate cake. The cost is 180 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, (376) 766-1742 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance. Visitors welcome.
LCS courses
• Temazcal: ancient Mexican ritual (purifying spirit), Friday, August 9, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Learn about Mexican Manners, Thursday, August 22, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Learn about Street Spanish, Wednesday, August 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The cost and course description is available at lakechapalasociety.com or at the LCS office. For LCS members only.
Grant Program deadline
The Lakeside Charities Grant Program is asking registered charities in the area to complete applications for Summer 2019 grants by August 14. Grant awards up to 25,000 pesos are available for projects with priorities on supporting access to basic necessities of life, which impact a group of people, and which have limited access to funding.
Applications, instructions and questions: 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 trip
The Lake Chapala Society takes a bus trip to Tonala, Wednesday, August 7. 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.
CASA
If this doesn’t make your mouth water, nothing will: Thai mango chicken with jasmine rice, Korean popcorn chicken with glass noodles, Maqlooba (a traditional Middle Eastern dish in the Levant, consisting of meat, rice, and fried vegetables). And to top it off: Mongolian black truffles, Asian spiced cake with cardamom icing with orange slices and Burmese sanwei makhim (roasted semolina combined with coconut milk, butter, sugar, and salt in a boiled cake).
This was what Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) members savored (and a few more dishes to boot) at their most recent meeting July 15, where contributing members cooked up delicious non-traditional Asian meals and desserts. Top winners were Patti Taylor in the main dish course and Geanie Tiley in the dessert category.
To get in on the culinary delights and see if you can stand the heat, join CASA for their next meeting, Monday, August 19, at the Hotel Montecarlo in Chapala, where the categories will be Cajun/Creole main dish and southern desserts. Information: ajijiccasa.org.
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.
The Community will screen a film from the recent Buddhafest in Los Angeles, California. Admission is free. Monday, July 29, 3 p.m. see “Raising the Ashes.”
Wednesday, July 31, the meditation period will be followed by a selection from talks given live at the 2019 Tricycle BuddhaFest. 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. 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.
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.