Jocotepec berry fest
Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24, the Feria Agroalimentaria de Berries will take place on the Jocotepec malecon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Contests of meals and desserts, gourmet berry products and workshops and networking are on the schedule.
LCS Holiday Fair
The Lake Chapala Society hosts its annual Holiday Fair Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23, noon to 5 p.m. on each day.
More than 70 vendors will feature handmade goods, jewelry, paintings, candles, photography, pottery and much more. Art, including Christmas cards created by children involved in the LCS Saturday art classes, will also be on sale.
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.
Open Circle
Dr. Daniel Acuff presents “A Mini Workshop in Effective Communication” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
What would it take for you to be an even more effective communicator than you currently are – with friends, family, associates, and even with yourself? In this interactive presentation, you will explore and practice a variety of communication techniques designed to take you to a deeper level of intimacy and successful communication.
Dr. Acuff’s Ph.D. is in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education with a specialization in International Education. He has been a seminar and communication workshop leader to more than 3,000 participants and is the author of 15 books, including three philosophical/spiritual works of fiction: “God Lied – What’s Really Going on Here,” “The Mysteries of Quan,” and “Golf and the Zen Master.”
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
LCS bus trips
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.
Thursday, December 5, the LCS bus heads to Andares Mall, which features fashionable merchandise in boutiques and major stores and fine dining.
Wednesday, December 11, The trip is to the crafts center of Tonala and leaves La Floresta at 9:30 a.m.
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.
TED Talks
Manoush Zamorodi presents “How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, November 26, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
We all take out our smartphones to provide stimulation when we feel bored. Especially young people. Perhaps we are cheating ourselves out of important time-outs that can lead to our most productive thinking.
Hosted by Susan Weeks.
Bridge lessons
Catherine Gonzales holds supervised bridge lessons at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club every Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. 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..
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..
• 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 courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Introduction to Lakeside. Learn all the basics: banking, shopping, restaurants, medical services, getting around, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays, religious observations, Thursday, December 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
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 45-minute presentation “Communities Make the Difference” on World AIDS Day, Sunday, December 1, 5 p.m. sharp at the Ajijic Malecon amphitheater.
Volunteers will be on hand to accept your cash donation.
Más Voces from Guadalajara present a musical medley.
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..
Fashion show
The School for Special Children presents the fundraiser event, “Every Day is a Fashion Show and the World Is the Runway,” at Las Cabellerizas at the Coxala Raquet Club, Thursday, December 5. The store opens 10:30 a.m. and the show begins at noon, when lunch is served. To book a table, 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.. Tickets, 350 pesos in advance or 400 at the door, are on sale at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique and Casi Nuevo Bazaar.
Christmas donation drive
Casa Colon Concept House in Ajijic, together with Paso a Paso, is holding a Christmas donation drive to help communities east of Mezcala. The event is Friday, December 6, 2 p.m. and features live music from Jim Sims, hors d’oeuvres by Casa Domenech and a fashion by Bohemia boutique. Tickets, 200 pesos, are available at Bohemia. Please bring a non-perishable food donation of your choice. Casa Colon is at Colon 29 in Ajijic, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Christmas bazaar
American Legion Post 7 Chapala holds a Christmas Bazaar and bake sale, Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. to noon.
Democrats holiday party
The Lake Chapala Chapter of the Democrats Abroad is holding its annual holiday party Monday, December 9, 4 p.m. at La Bodega Ajijic.
Enjoy a sumptuous Mexican buffet and a white elephant gift exchange. (Bring a wrapped gift to the value of 250-500 pesos to swap.)
Tickets, 300 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl and Yoli’s Beauty Salon in Plaza Bugambilias. All are welcome. You do not need to be a DA member to attend.
DA-Lake Chapala is also collecting toys for the Los Gueros Motorcycle Club Toys for Tots Run. Bring unwrapped gifts or cash donations: new toys for children (ages newborn to 10 years old), especially soccer balls, small truck or car sets, dolls, simple nail polish sets, baby blanket, etcetera. No simulated weapons or items requiring batteries will be accepted. The cost should not exceed 150 pesos.
Toy Run
American Legion Post 7 Chapala and Los Gueros Motorcycle Club will conduct their 6th annual Toy Run, Saturday, December 14.
A breakfast is held at 10 a.m. at the Legion, and the ride, comprising cars and motorcycles, will head up to the Tepahua community in the hills behind Chapala at noon to bring a memorable Christmas to the children of that community.
Everyone is welcome to join in. Cash and toy donations (before December 8) may be made at the American Legion, Mama’s Musical and Pool Bars and at the Iron Horse Bar. For information and updates, see losgueros.com
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 27, 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?”
A yoga class is offered on Thursdays from 9-10:45 a.m. Mats and blocks are provided. The class is suitable for students at all levels, from beginners to advanced.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101. Information: heartofawareness.org.
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..