Taxes
A discount of 15 percent is available for municipal property taxes (predial) paid January 2 to February 28 at Chapala’s Catastro (land registry) office in Chapala City Hall, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Special discounts of up to 50 percent may apply for those over 65 or with disabilities, depending on the property value.
Open Circle
David Pisarra presents “Let Your Light Shine!” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, December 29, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
In a world where it is harder and harder to be heard, what can you do to make a difference? Sharing your story, wisdom, and gifts in ways that remain relevant today and tomorrow are more important than ever. This presentation will motivate and inspire you to open up and tell your tale.
Pisarra is an international speaker who travels the world to motivate the meek, inspire the idle and empower the fearful.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Thrift store close-out
Casi Nuevo, the School for Special Children’s Thrift Store located in Riberas across from 7-11, is closing permanently effective December 31. Come check out the bargains!
Legion New Year fiesta
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will host a New Year’s prelude with all-you-can-eat extra large shrimp boil, chicken wings, corn on the cob, coleslaw, bread and dessert, Tuesday, December 31. Cocktails begin 1 p.m. and dinner is at 2 p.m. Tickets, 280 pesos, must be purchased in advance at the Legion Post, Morelos 114 in Chapala. Call 376-765-2259 for more information.
Rose Bowl party
Fans of the Badgers, the Ducks or college football fans in general are welcome to a Rose Bowl watch party on New Year’s Day at the Cocktail Bar, Constitucion, 32 in Ajijic. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1. There will be four screens. This event is sponsored by the Quack Cartel. Information and RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 376-766-1757.
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..
• January 2, cell phones in Mexico.
• January 16, cell phone cameras.
• January 23, Google photos.
• January 30, Google photos advanced.
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything tech.
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Amatitan’s Tres Mujeres Distillery Wednesday, January 8. Then, on January 16, LCS 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.
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. Monday, January 6, 9 a.m.
• Mexican Winter Fruits with Alfredo Perez. enjoy a trip to the warmest heart of Mexican winter and its flavors. Recipes, flavors, aromas and more. Friday, January 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Problem of dispossession of real estate by invaders, by Maria de las Nieves Solbes and Diego Solbes, will be given in a series of Fridays, January 10, 17, 24 and 31, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Recognizing Counterfeit Bills and the ins and outs of Mexican Banking for non-Mexicans will be presented by Karely Castro from HSBC bank, Thursday, January 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Mexican Manners with Alfredo Pérez. Learn about behavior, punctuality, tipping, body language and more, Friday, January 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Creative Writing with Rachel McMillen, Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2-4 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, January 7, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when Kishore Mahbubani will present “How the West can adapt to a rising Asia.” Open to LCS members only.
As Asian economies and governments continue to gain power, the West needs to find ways to adapt to the new global order, says author and diplomat Mahbubani. In an insightful look at international politics, Mahbubani shares a three-part strategy that Western governments can use to recover power and improve relations with the rest of the world.
Hosted by Fred Harland.
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. The next presentation, by Richard Clarke, will be Tuesday, January 7.
Tamale class
Lupe, from San Juan Cosala – known locally as the queen of tamales – will give a hands-on cooking course on how to prepare tamales at an all-you-can-eat-tamales class/party, scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2 to 5 p.m. in Las Fuentes. The class, where Lupe will teach you how to make spicy chicken tamales, vegetarian tamales and dessert tamales, is capped at eight diners.
The 500-peso cost for the class and post-class sumptuous, four-course dinner party includes a refreshing watermelon mimosa while you learn. Participants are welcome to bring their own libation of choice, as well. All the funds go to Lupe. Tamales will also be available for take-home purchase after the party/class.
Information and signup details: facebook/Deborah.march 5473.
Conexiones
A monthly networking event is held every second Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. Tuesday, January 14, 5:30 to 8 p.m. welcomes Canadian Consul Lewis Coughlin and the medical director of Chapala Med and the Riberas Medical Center. Entrance is free.
Trivia quiz
Lakeside’s funnest and funniest fundraiser is back. The Niños Incapacitados (PPNI) Trivia Quiz is on at the Hotel Real de Chapala in Ajijic, Tuesday, January 14. Make your teams of eight (or partial teams) before registering for a table, but don’t wait too long, as this is one of the area’s favorite events. Teams decorate their tables and dress up according to the name of their team, bring their own munchies and have a ball.
Quizzes are offered at two times: 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The cost per person is 400 pesos. Confirm your reservations with Peter Howarth at 331-186-2314 or via 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.. Pay for and pick up your tickets with Howarth at the Spotlight Club, Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. no later than Thursday, January 9.
Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados reimburses medical, physical and pharmaceutical expenses for the Mexican children enrolled in the PPNI program. Qualifying transportation costs may also be reimbursed. PPNI operates the organization with full transparency and accountability; the careful and diligent distribution of funds (96 percent of funds raised goes to support the children); optimize efficiencies and minimize administrative expenses (only four percent is spent on required legal and accounting costs).
PPNI treats the children, their families, volunteers and supporters with dignity and respect. All of the work is done on a volunteer basis. PPNI encourages volunteers and supporters to engage with the organization through the donation of their time, energy and expertise.
Chili Cookoff
The 42nd annual Mexican National Chili Cookoff is looking for volunteers and contestants for the February 7-9 event. This is one of Ajijic’s biggest and best parties of the year. Not only a chili cookoff with entertainment (and even a parade), but an important fundraiser for many area charities. So if you can help our or take part in this event, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Cookoff President Jacque Bourchard at 376-766-4350.
Burns Supper
Niños Incapacitados will hold its usually sold-out Robbie Burns Supper benefit Friday, January 24, 5 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala.
A celebration of Scotland’s most famous bard, the event includes cocktails and dancing in the patio area and dinner in the Eucalyptus Room.
Tributes, toasts and singing, kilt-wearing bagpipers and Scottish country dancing precede a new dinner menu, plus a bit of the haggis and a wee dram of scotch.
Whether you wear the tartan or not, are a bit Scottish or not, don’t miss this fun, special event.
To reserve your tickets, contact Jerry Croucher at 376-766-2036 or Ron Leaky at 376-766-0382 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or order online at programaninos.com. Reserved tickets can be picked up and paid for at The Spotlight Club daily from 2 to 5 p.m. through January 17.
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, January 1, there will be no afternoon sessions. Instead, an hour-long silent meditation period will be offered beginning 10 a.m.
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.
DaeJa Napier, a senior teacher in the Vipassana/Insight meditation tradition will be in residency with The Heart of Awareness and offer a non-residential weekend February 21 to 23 and a residential retreat May 12 to 15.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101. Information: heartofawareness.org.