Open Circle
Ken Corbin will discuss the exciting trends on the horizon at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, September 1, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Themes of this talk include: How artificial intelligence will drive our personal experience; how live interaction will embrace social media; and how Generation Z will outnumber millennials and become “the” generation.
Ajijic resident Ken Corbin is a three-time recipient of Professional Speaker of the Year Award. He’s addressed over 2,000 organizations. Corbin has an MBA from the University of Michigan and is a former advisory consultant to The American Graduate School of International Management. He’s on the board of trustees of Habitat for Humanity and is a certified management consultant. The author of eight books on sales growth and personal and business management, his newest audio book is “Selling the American Dream of Home Ownership.”
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Warren Hardy Spanish
Registration is now open for the Lake Chapala Society’s popular Warren Hardy Spanish classes designed for adult students, which will be held September 2 to October 22.
Stop into the LCS office or register online at lakechapalasociety.com.
TED Talks
Writer Margaret Hefferman presents “Dare to Disagree” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, September 3, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
Most people instinctively avoid conflict, but as Hefferman shows us, good disagreement is central to progress. She illustrates (sometimes counterintuitively) how the best partners aren’t echo chambers – and how great research teams, relationships and businesses allow people to deeply disagree.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Tech classes at LCS
Michael Goss teaches tech classes Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. for LCS members.
Sign up for classes by email at 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..
• September 5: YouTube is your friend.
• September 19: Cell phones in Mexico.
• September 26: Introduction to Facebook.
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything else tech.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) takes a bus trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond in Plaza Patria, Zapopan, Thursday, September 5. 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.
Learn about 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.
Karuna Yes Tours will present an overview of this indigenous community and their wild and largely untouched Copper Canyon home, Friday, September 6, 11 a.m. at the Real de Chapala Hotel.
During a 45-minute visual presentation, you will see for yourself why a trip to Copper Canyon is more than the historic train ride through breathtaking scenery. Instead it is a close encounter with the Tarahumara.
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..
Fiesta Mexicana
Helping you gear up for Mexican Independence month activities, the Lake Chapala Society will hold a traditional Mexican fiesta Friday, September 6, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Highlights will be a great Mexican show with mariachi bands, a children’s ballet folklorico and stick horse skirmish, lasso rope tricks and a charro show. Chow down on a home-made Mexican food buffet. A cash bar is available.
Tickets are 250 pesos at the LCS office or website, and Yoli’s beauty salon in Ajijic.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, September 7, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
In keeping with Mexico’s September celebrations there will be a Mexico/UK trivia quiz.
Menu is a small salad, carrot and vegetable soup, brisket, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy, vegetarian curry with rice or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon tart. 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 at 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.
Green bike ride
The first Rodada por el Medio Ambiente Ajijic 2019 (bicycle trip for the environment) is scheduled for Sunday, September 8. Participants will meet at the Ajijic Plaza at 8 a.m. to register and head to the Centro de Acopio (Recycling Center) in West Ajijic at 9 a.m. There, a demonstration will be given about how the center processes materials to recycle.
The route from the plaza is west on Calle Hidalgo two blocks, north on Aquiles Serdan, then west on Zaragoza, south on Privada Ocampo and west on Ocampo all the way to the Recycling Center. The group will return via the bike lane along the highway and then turn south on 5 de Feberro to the Ajijic Malecon at about 11:30 a.m., where a bicycle will be raffled off (no cost for raffle entrance) and talks about recycling in Ajijic will be given. Live music follows. The first 100 participants will get a free T-shirt (children’s sizes only).
While this event is geared toward the Mexican community and children, expats are welcome to join in. Organizers hope this ride will energize the young Mexican community in Ajijic to recycle and help out at the Center.
Anyone who would like to help with registering the children who show up, as well as giving them water at the center, should call Roberto Serano at 331-868-0404.
Carpentry classes
Adult woodworking classes begin September 9 at Have Hammer School of Carpentry. Two different levels will be offered over eight weeks. Beginners will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and intermediates attend on Mondays and Wednesdays. Both levels meet 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is 250 pesos per class, which includes instruction and the use of all tools and materials.
Proceeds from the classes provide scholarships so Mexican children can learn a life skill in either carpentry or carving. Hammer is also seeking experienced woodworkers to volunteer to help with classes.
Call or email Parke Sprag for more information and reservations at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 001-941-276-3233. Leave a voice message if there is no answer.
Have Hammer School of Carpentry is next to S&S Auto at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 231-A, Riberas del Pilar.
Introduction to Spanish
Open to all current LCS members, this class is designed for individuals without any Spanish language background. Classes begin Tuesday, September 10, noon to 1:30 p.m. for three Tuesdays. Register and pay online or register and pay in the LCS Service Office.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Introduction to Lakeside. Topics include: banking, shopping, medical services, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays, and religious observations. Thursday, September 12, 9 a.m.
• Learn about Fresh fruit drinks (agua frescas), Tuesday, September 17, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Street Spanish, Wednesday, September 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Know your rights in Mexico and preserve your assets and yourself, Friday, September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, noon to 1:30 p.m. by María de las Nieves Solbes and Diego.
• Take a class to obtain a driver’s license, Monday, September 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Then go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license, Tuesday, September 24, 7 a.m.
• Mexican Manners, Wednesday, September 25, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Mexican Salsas, Monday, September 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Plant and garden sale
Vivero La Esperanza nursery, a project of Poco A Poco, servicing the pueblos of the San Pedro Itzican area and San Juan Tecomatlan, is hosting its first Plant and Garden Sale at the Garden Center in Riberas del Pilar, Saturday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jewelry and knitted items produced by the local Women’s Jewelry Collective Project and the Women’s Knitting Projects of San Pedro Itzican will also be on sale. The Brigadista Traditional Dance Troupe from San Pedro Itzican will be present and perform an opening ritual dance ceremony at noon.
Vivero La Esperanza is located in the town of San Juan Tecomatlán, ten kilometers east of Chapala on the road to Mezcala, just after the Vista del Lago Golf Club.
The nursery’s vision is for local people to feed and improve the nutrition of their communities by growing organic plants from seed. The aim is to grow enough plants to have a surplus to sell for a profit so that the working costs of the nursery can be covered. The nursery will also be a place to hold gardening classes and meetings, and for volunteers to come and work, learn and help.
Vivero La Esperanza is a collaborative effort between Jalisco Firefighters and Civil Protection, Poco a Poco, individual volunteers and the San Juan Tecomatlán townspeople.
See www.pocoapocosanpedro.com and fcoandbradsmexicotravels.blogspot.com for more information.
CASA
A tasty and spicy array of different southern, Cajun and creole dishes from 12 cooks was enjoyed by about 40 members of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA), Monday, August 19 in Sala La Estancia at the Hotel Montecarlo in Chapala.
Winners in the main course category were Dennis Brann’s Andouille and corn maque choux with shrimp, taking first place and presentation awards; Bev Denton’s Louisiana chicken creole took second place; Leslie Rogers’ New Orleans beans and rice came in third, while Patti Taylor’s shrimp and chicken etouffee took the people’s choice award.
In the desserts category, Carol Van Gorp’s Kentucky Derby pie with whipped cream took first place and people’s choice awards; Judith Greenberg’s southern praline chocolate dessert won second place and presentation and Tracy Reuter’s pineapple upside-down cake came in third.
CASA’s next meeting is Monday, September 23, and categories are Mexican main dish and Mexican desserts. Information: ajijiccasa.org.
CASA welcomes all to stop by their tent at the Regata de Globos on Saturday, September 14 at the Ajijic soccer field.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 and all meditation sessions are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation. Periods for silent meditation are on Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m.
Sunday, September 1, the center is open from 9 a.m. until noon for three rounds of sitting and walking meditation. Participants are welcome to come for all or just a portion of this extended practice period. Additional meditation periods are offered Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m.
Wednesday, September 4, the meditation period will be followed by a reading and time for reflection and discussion. The selected reading is titled “Tips for the Procrastinator Practitioner: How to deal with the issues that may arise as we move toward the cushion” by Lama Palden Drolma.
A yoga class is offered at The Heart of Awareness on Thursdays from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Mats and blocks are provided.
Registration is now open for a two-night residential meditation retreat September 17-19, at Santa Maria del Lago retreat center, 11 kilometers east of Chapala. DaeJa Napier will be the teacher in residence and will conduct the silent retreat.