Christmas bazaar
American Legion Post Seven in Chapala holds a Christmas bazaar and bake sale, Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. to noon.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon on Saturday, December 7, 1 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic.
Rosemary has prepared a special Christmas bingo.
Menu is a small salad, cream of tomato soup, roast turkey, roasted cambray potatoes, dressing, vegetables and gravy, or a large salad with protein. Dessert is chocolate mousse.
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.
Fiesta de Navidad
La Bella Vida is holding its 11th annual Fiesta de Navidad Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Louie Pavao will provide live music in the garden along with plenty of food and drink. Handcrafted ornaments, decorations and artistic treasures from around the world will be on sale.
Feria de Tachihual
Ajijic will celebrate the Feria del Tachihual, Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, at the village plaza. Tachihual is a rustic bread with a lightly sweet and tangy taste that is typical to Ajijic, San Juan Cosalá, Zacoalco and other rural towns of the region. It is produced in home bakeries according to recipes and techniques passed down through many generations. The exhibition and sale of tachihual produced by local craft bakers, along with beverages that complement the bread’s flavor, an art and craft show and traditional entertainment will round out the event.
CREM bazaar
CREM Regional Music School is holding a Christmas bazaar on the esplanade of the Auditorio de la Ribera, Sunday, December 8, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want a spot to sell your merchandise, call Marca at 331-417-4274.
Open Circle
Kat Miller presents “That Aging Thing” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, December 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
With age we can see our life as from a great altitude taking in a panoramic landscape, with a deepening sense of how everything is connected, including all the losses. From here we can harvest the wisdom gleaned from our lives. We can also discover inner peace, love, compassion, and gratitude at the heart of our lives. We are all going to die, all of us. This terrifies most of us. When we make peace with death we have a deeper appreciation of the ordinary small moments, surprisingly experiencing causeless joy, while also finding the magnificence of life ever more obvious. Join Miller for some ageist repudiation and reflections on how to live this stretch of life unimpeded by fear.
Miller currently has an active therapy practice in Ajijic, as well as out of the country. This is her fourth presentation at Open Circle, where she serves as weekly moderator. Information: opencircleajijic.org.
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.
Spanish at LCS
Introduction to Spanish is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning December 10. These classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
Conexiones entre amigos
A monthly networking event is held every second Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. Tuesday, December 10, the special guest will be the Jalisco Director of Tourism Promotion Rocio Lancaster Jones, who will talk about the many tourist attractions offered in this state. Free entrance.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Recognizing counterfeit bills and banking procedures in Mexico by Karely Castro from HSBC, Tuesday, December 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Avoid getting ripped off with Mexican money. Learn how to identify counterfeit bills and what to do in case you get one.
• 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.
• Mexico’s year of fiestas. Judy King gives insights on the diverse and fascinating traditions surrounding Mexico’s winter holiday season. Four Mondays: January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
TED Talks
Patrick Chappattte presents “A free world needs satire” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, December 10, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
We need humor like we need the air we breathe, says editorial cartoonist Chappatte. In a talk illustrated with highlights from a career spent skewering everything from dictators and ideologues to selfies and social media mobs, Chappatte makes a resounding, often hilarious case for the necessity of satire. “Political cartoons were born with democracy, and they are challenged when freedom is,” he says.
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, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Topics for December 10: Longevity Linked to Proteins That Calm Overexcited Neurons; Model: Possible simultaneous impact of global warming on agriculture and marine fisheries; Elon Musk’s Starlink is a very big deal.
Presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
Birders
Tuesday, December 10, the Lakeside Birders will meet at the Old Train Station in Chapala to carpool at 8:30 a.m., leaving immediately to bird the “Chapala Lakeshore East” including the pumping station. Expect to see a good variety of shore birds in a variety of habitats, such as the American white pelican. At 10 a.m. the group will head to Palapa de Don Juan for breakfast and complete the bird list. If you plan on joining in, need a ride at the train station or a ride to the train station, email John Keeling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 48 hours ahead of time. The train station is on the Lakeshore road just east of Cristiania Park in Chapala. 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 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.
Bridge classes
Always wanted to play bridge and now you have the time? Catherine Gonzales holds supervised bridge lessons at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club every Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. 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..
LCS bus trips
Wednesday, December 11, the Lake Chapala Society lead a bus trip to the crafts center of Tonala. Thursday, December 19, the LCS bus heads to Galerias Mall and Costco.
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.
Canadian holiday mixer
The Canadian Club of Lake Chapala will hold a Christmas gathering, Wednesday, December 11, 3 p.m. at the La Nueva Posada.
Voces de Luz, the children’s choir from San Juan Cosala, will sing Christmas carols. A donation to this choir would be appreciated. Attendees are asked to bring appetizers for at least ten people for the pot luck. Everyone is welcome. Information: canadianclubmx.com.
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..
• January 2, cell phones in Mexico.
• January 16, cell phone cameras.
• January 23, Google photos.
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..
Klestadt memorial
Ann and Marty Klestadt invite Charlie’s many friends to remember and celebrate his life. The gathering will take place on Saturday, December 21, between 3 and 5 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. Undoubtedly there will be tears, but laughter too. Some of Charlie’s favorite music will be shared. Colibri Garden (Peter and Georgina) will cater light refreshments.
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, December 11, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein, from the section “How to Practice,” titled “Training the Heart.”
A special holiday gathering is happening at Casa Cacau on Monday, December 16, beginning at 5 p.m. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for reservation information.
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 the Lake Chapala Society, 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..