Open Circle
John Stokdijk will present “Lest We Forget” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 10, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
On the day before Remembrance Day, Stokdijk will explore the many surprising ways that wars have touched his life and will explain how war has impacted the life of everyone living at Lakeside. He will consider the idea that there is a relationship between our own internal conflicts, our interpersonal friction, and clashes between nations.
Stokdijk will also discuss “How to Think About War and Peace,” a book published in 1944 by American philosopher Mortimer J. Adler. Lastly, he will share his speculation about future wars.
Stokdijk and his wife Pat moved to Lakeside seven years ago and is best known for launching the Ajijic Book Club. He has written about three dozen book reviews available on the ABC website. These include “One Step Ahead,” the story of Jack Prins during WWII; “No Ordinary Time,” the story of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt during WWII; and “Nothing to Envy,” stories from North Korea in the wake of WWI, WWII and the Korean war.
For the Centering Moment, Stokdijk will read a poem followed by the traditional minute of silence at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in remembrance of all who died fighting for freedom and democracy.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Bread for kids
Frederic and Isabelle of Pastisserie Francaise, the French bakery in West Ajijic, will sell 100 loaves of Brioche bread at 100 pesos each. All the proceeds will go to Niños Incapacitados. The sale begins Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m. until they sell out.
Veterans Day
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will hold a celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, beginning with a ceremony at 10:55 a.m. All are welcome. A social hour starts at noon, with a pit-roast pig dinner plus all the fixings at 1 p.m. Entertainment by DJ Howard. Tickets (for the dinner only), 250 pesos, are available at the Legion, Morelos 114 in Chapala, 376-765-2259.
Remembrance Day
The Royal Canadian Legion, Lake Chapala, BR 182 will conduct a Remembrance Day ceremony Monday, November 11, 10:30 a.m. sharp on the property of the Hermanas Benedictinas de la Adoracion Perpetua del Santisimo Sacramento, located on Jesus Garcia Norte, across from Panino Deli in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The ceremony takes place in a covered and tiled facility 300 meters north from the highway just beyond the football field.
After the ceremony a party with bar and music will be held. Tickets for the party are 250 pesos and available at O’Rourkes in Centro Laguna or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., tel. 331-758-0676.
Spanish at LCS
Introduction to Spanish is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning November 12. These classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
LCS Health Day
Immunizations will be available at The Lake Chapala Society Tuesday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. First come, first served. The shots offered are Influenza (flu): 550 pesos; Pneumonia (Prevnar 13: lifetime immunity) 1,700 pesos; Pneumonia (Pneumovax: 5-year immunity) 650 pesos; DPT (diphteria, pertussis, tetanus) 650 pesos. No sign up necessary. Check the LCS website or Facebook page for more information.
NOTE: Influenza and pneumonia vaccines may be taken on the same day. DPT cannot be taken with any other shot.
TED Talks
Michael Specter will present “The danger of science denial” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, November 12, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
Vaccine-autism claims, “Frankenfood” bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public’s growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason, says Specter. He warns the trend spells disaster for human progress.
Hosted by Ron Mullenaux.
Hot Science at LCS
Lake Chapala Society members can get the lowdown on new science, technology and medical news, each Tuesday in the LCS Sala, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Topics for November 12: Rats love driving tiny cars, even when they don’t get treats; Breast cancer may be detected by blood test five years before clinical signs show; How the Aztecs could improve modern urban farming.
Presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
Canadian Club
The Canadian Club of Lake Chapala meets Wednesday, November 13, at La Nueva Posada. Jaime Hernandez Balderas will present “Understanding Mexico’s Festive Calendar.” Hernandez will provide an educational blend of information based on historical accounts and his personal experiences to help you understand the hidden treasures Mexican culture offers. A social hour begins 3 p.m., the presentation begins at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. See canadianclubmx.com for more information.
Starlit Paella fundraiser
The Lakeside Charities Grant Program is holding a fundraiser Starlit Paella multi-course dinner Wednesday, November 13, at Hotel Montecarlo. This program has funded more than 25 local community projects with some 600,000 pesos in the last few years. Tickets are available via 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..
Canadian Passport Clinic
The Canadian Consulate in Guadalajara will hold a Passport Clinic at the Lake Chapala Society, Wednesday, November 13, 2 to 4 p.m. Learn about the new online payment tool and tips to consider regarding your passport application. RSVP Diana Haro: 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..
The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara also has a consular outreach session the same day, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Bridge lessons
Catherine Gonzales will hold supervised bridge lessons at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club every Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. beginning November 13. For more information, email her 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..
Lake Chapala Birders
Wednesday, November 13, the Lake Chapala Birders meet 8 a.m. at Donas Donuts to walk the one-mile long Allen Lloyd Trail, which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see stripe-headed sparrow and groove-billed ani and, if lucky, hear the happy wren. At about 10:15 a.m. the group will head to Cafe Negro restaurant for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half mile from the traffic light at Walmart, and park on the north side of the road across from the El Dorado Condominium tower.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
A laminated folder “Quick Guide to the Birds of Lake Chapala” illustrating 150 local species can be purchased for 150 pesos at Diane Pearl, Colon 1, in the center of Ajijic. This is especially useful to newcomers. It is produced by Defenders of Wildlife which works to protect imperiled species throughout North America.
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, November 14, 9 a.m.
• Mexican Manners, Thursday, November 21, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Lucky Dog open house
Lucky Dog rescue and adoption center is holding an open house, Sunday, November 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet the center’s volunteers and canine residents, enjoy hamburgers and empanadas, try their special Lucky Dog margaritas and other drinks and enjoy some special entertainment. All at Carretera Chapala-Mezcala 1100 (2 km east of old train station).
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..
• November 21: Creating photo books
• December 5: WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype and Texting
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything tech.
Legion Tech support
Mike Goss now also offers free tech support at American Legion Post 7, Morelos 114 in Chapala, Fridays, 1 to 3 p.m. Email him 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..
LCS wine tasting
Fans of the vine won’t want to miss the Lake Chapala Society’s 4th annual Wine Tasting event Saturday, November 16, 2:30-5:30 pm. Wines from Chile, Argentina, Spain and Mexico will be featured with many varieties available for unlimited tasting and purchase. This year for the first time LCS is combining wine with the arts. Members of the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) will be exhibiting their work during the wine tasting, giving visitors a chance to meet the local artists. Stroll the LCS gardens while viewing the art displayed as part of the ASA Autumn Show.
Advance tickets, members: 160 pesos, non-members: 200 pesos are available at the LCS office. Tickets on the day of the event are 250 pesos. Appetizers and live music are included in the ticket price.
Garden Guild Floral Show
The Lakeside Garden Guild’s Annual Floral Show is Saturday, November 16, 3-6 p.m. at the original Hacienda del Lago on O’Campo and Privada de O’Campo in Ajijic. Some of the Guild’s beautiful arrangements will be for sale at the show.
The proceeds will help fund the Guild’s 2020 Community Project. Tickets, 300 pesos — including a complementary drink and hors d’oeuvres— are available via Barb at 376-766-5452 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Leslie at 376- 766-2274 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..
LCS Holiday Fair
The Lake Chapala Society will be hosting Its annual Holiday Fair Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23, noon to 5 p.m. each day.
More than 70 vendors will feature handmade goods, jewelry, paintings, candles, photography, pottery and much more.
A food court will be on hand to satisfy hunger pains as well as a cash bar.
The fair is open to the public and admission is 30 pesos at the gate.
Cowboy hoedown
The Ranch dog shelter is hosting a Big Cowboy Hoedown, Sunday, November 17, 3-6 p.m. at a gorgeous upper Ajijic estate. The menu includes roast pig, BBQ chicken, vegetarian options and all the trimmings. Enjoy live music, dancing, a silly selfie area, caricature drawing, and prizes for best dressed cowboy/cowgirl. A valet shuttle bus will take folks to the event. Directions on the back of the ticket. Tickets, 550 pesos, are available at Chocolac Axixic, Lilifher Deli and the Scandinavian Baker.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) takes a bus trip to Galerias Mall and Costco Monday, November 25. The mall features anchor stores Liverpool, Best Buy and Sanborns and many specialty stores including Gap, C&A, Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Radio Shack, Mac Store, H&M and more. Shoppers can visit nearby Costco, Sam’s Club, and Super Mega. Restaurants include PF Chang, Cheesecake Factory and McCarthy’s Irish Pub.
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.
Genealogy Forum
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Family History Centre (FHC) will be closed Tuesday, November 26, and Thursday, November 28. Also, the Genealogy Forum meeting will be moved to November 18, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in Riberas.
The presentation this month will be Land Records of the U.K., Ireland, Canada, and the United States. These are frequently under-utilized, often contain significant genealogical information, and may exist where records of births, marriages and deaths have been destroyed. Many are becoming available online.
This will be of interest to all experience levels; open to all, no dues or registration required. The FHC will be open during this time. The church is located diagonally across from Mom’s Restaurant in Riberas del Pilar. Information 376-766-2722.
Ajijic Cares
Ajijic Cares Foundation works with VIHAS de Vida in Guadalajara to provide educational support aimed at reducing the transmission of HIV and the reduction in the number of new cases of AIDS at Lakeside.
Ajijic Cares will give the presentation, “Communities Make the Difference,” on World AIDS Day, Sunday, December 1, 5 p.m. sharp at the Ajijic Malecon amphitheater. For information on how to support the group, see Facebook/Ajijic Cares 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..
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness (HOA) meditation center offers meditation sessions Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m. All are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written instructions on meditation for beginners. There are no fees for practice opportunities, but donations are always welcome.
Wednesday, November 13, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein, from the section “What is the path?” titled “Grace, or Help Along the Way.”
Website: heartofawareness.org. The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.
Personal enhancement
A personal Enhancement workshop, presented by Dr. Daniel Acuff, Ph.D. will be offered every Wednesday at LCS beginning January 29. Participants will explore a variety of issues germane to what it means to be alive and inquisitive, wanting even more insight, growth, health and happiness. Free to LCS members. For info and registration: 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..