Open Circle
David Bryen presents “Caring for the Soul in Times of Chaos” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 5, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Humanity is experiencing The Dark Night of the Soul! How do we address the shredding of civility and eruption of hate and polarization, without being overtaken by our own tribalism or withdrawing in fear? How do we preserve the interior dimensions of soul life when chaos preoccupies our attention? How do we thread our way between responsibility to the world and connection to the soul? But what is soul? How does it work? What does it want? How do we unlock its intelligence rather than fall prey to primitive reactions? Listening to and loving the soul is the true work of our lives.
During his lifetime career as a psychotherapist, Bryen became a fierce defender of the soul. He retired to Ajijic ten years ago, builds sets for the local theaters, authored a motorcycle adventure book, and a poetry book revealing the erotic nature of the Divine Feminine. He is Open Circle’s coordinator.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Creative Writing with Rachel McMillen, Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2-4 p.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.
• Problems of dispossession of real estate by invaders, by Maria de las Nieves Solbes and Diego Solbes, will be presented 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.
• Holy Mole! with Ana Moreno. Learn about the origins and variations of mole and how to prepare three types. Thursday, January 3, 10 a.m. to noon.
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, he shares a three-part strategy that Western governments can use to recover power and improve relations with the rest of the world.
Birders
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." />Tuesday, January 7, the Lakeside Birders will meet at Donas Donuts in Ajijic at 8 a.m., leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (a 90-minute drive). The group will bird from 9:30 until 12:30, then have lunch in the town of Tapalpa and complete the bird list. Expect to see higher altitude birds such as acorn woodpecker, slate-throated redstart, and possibly even a trans-volcanic jay. Bring your own refreshments for the morning. The return to Ajijic will be about 5 p.m. If you plan on going, 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 to arrange car pooling.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Beginning Spanish
This class is designed for Lake Chapala Society members with no Spanish-language background. Learn Spanish pronunciation, some vocabulary and social protocols. Tuesdays, January 7, 14 and 21, noon to 1:30 p.m. Register at the LCS office or via the LCS website.
Canadian Club
Charter Club Travel Agency and Tours owners Rosa Elia Cepeda, and her husband Carlos, are the featured speakers at next meeting of the Canadian Club, Wednesday, January 8 at La Nueva Posada.
Cepeda will speak on the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico and how it has affected Mexican culture. A social hour begins 3 p.m. and the program at 4 pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a 50-peso charge for non-members.
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..
LCS bus trips
The Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Amatitan’s Tres Mujeres Distillery Wednesday, January 8. Amatitan claims to be the true home of tequila. There will be a tour of the distillery with tastings and a Mexican meal in the Tres Mujeres Restaurant. On January 16, LCS heads to Galerias Mall and Costco in Guadalajara. January 23 the bus heads to downtown Guadalajara.
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.
Essentials of Elderhood
Richard Clarke, in conjunction with the Lakeside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, will offer a free six-week course on the Essential of Elderhood Mondays, January 13 to February 17, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Fellowship, Carretera 261 in Riberas del Pilar.
“We grew up with an idea of growing old as becoming weaker and less capable. Our life here at Lakeside disproves this idea. We are the oldest healthiest generation ever. What does it really mean to be an elder of this generation? We don’t have many models — we are the models.
This course gives you a way to approach this stage of your life so you can thrive,” says Clarke.
The course is open to anyone and especially recommended for the newly retired.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register, or call Richard at 376-765-6976.
Oaxaca & Copper Canyon
Karuna Tours will give presentations about Oaxaca Thursday, January 9, 11 a.m. and on the Copper Canyon Monday, January 13, 11 a.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. RSVP: 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 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.
Population control
Spay-Ghetti No Balls, a fundraiser for the Jocotepec spay and neuter clinic, will be held Saturday, January 25, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fraccionamiento Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala. The event features an all-you-can-eat spayghetti dinner, live music, an auction, prizes and a cash bar. Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, It’s Kinda Bazaar in Riberas del Pilar or at the Raquet Club office. Information: 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..
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.
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. The Cookoff is also looking for volunteers. If you want to help out, contact Sandra at 376-765-6329 or 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. Beginning Monday, January 6, a regular evening practice will be offered from 7 to 8 p.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 8 the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein. This week, we consider a topic from the section “How to Practice” titled “Nintendo Dharma.”
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.