Open Circle
Don Munroe presents “Here Comes the Judge …” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Judges are the guardians of the Rule of Law, which is at the foundation of any true democracy. Without an independent, non-partisan, even courageous judiciary, the Rule of Law is threatened. Using the United States and Canada as the main reference points, Munroe will define what we mean by the Rule of Law and demonstrate its importance. He will then take a critical look at how our judges are selected and whether those processes are compatible with the democratic values that the Rule of Law is intended to protect.
Munroe is a prominent Canadian lawyer, whose career has included criminal and civil litigation, chairmanship of the British Columbia Labour Relations Board, visiting professor of constitutional law at the University of Victoria, and some 30 years as an arbitrator and mediator. He has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada on four occasions and at age 38 was designated a Queen’s Counsel.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Abbeyfield Meeting
The board of directors of Lissa’s Legacy, A.C. has extended an open invitation to an introductory meeting to be held Monday, January 20, noon, at La Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra 9, Ajijic.
The non-profit civil association, originally known as Casas Cariñosas, operated the Abbeyfield senior citizen housing compound from 2006 to 2018. Board members will outline the organization’s current goals to support and finance the social projects of other non-profits that aim to improve living conditions in the area’s most impoverished communities. All interested persons are welcome to attend.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for tickets." class="caption" style="float: right;" width="649" height="263" />TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, January 21, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when Editor Jochen Wagner will present “What happened when we paired up thousands of strangers to talk politics.” Open to LCS members only.
In spring 2019, more than 17,000 Europeans from 33 countries signed up to have a political argument with a complete stranger. They were part of “Europe Talks,” a project that organizes one-on-one conversations between people who disagree. Wagner shares the unexpected things that happened when people met up to talk and shows how face-to-face discussions could get a divided world to rethink itself.
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 January 21: Paleolithic diet may not have been that “paleo,” scientists say. Researchers at Wits University suggest humans in southern Africa were eating carbs up to 170,000 years ago – a blow to gym vloggers everywhere. Healthcare company repossesses veteran’s prosthetic legs; Tea drinkers live longer.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.." class="caption" style="float: right;" width="293" height="387" />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 courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Street Spanish with Alfredo Pérez. Learn how the locals communicate among themselves. Thursday, January 30, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Corn Tortillas with Ana Moreno. Prepare corn tortillas from scratch, as well as “tlacoyos, huaraches, sopes, pellizcadas, and other homemade delicacies.” including the fillings, side dishes and traditional sauces that accompany them. Learn from their history why they are so important to the local culture. Friday, February 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
U.S. Voter Registration
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico is beginning its non-partisan voter registration support to Lakeside residents who wish to vote absentee in their state primaries and the November election. U.S. citizens and dual Mexican-American citizens who will not be in the United States this year to vote, are encouraged to register and request their absentee ballots online at VoteFromAbroad.org as soon as possible to be sure their votes will be counted. This website assists applicants in completing the federal forms online and in submitting these forms by email to their local election officials.
For those who have limited access to online registration, Lake Chapala Chapter volunteers will also be available to provide support for general voter assistance every Thursday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m., between January 23 and February 27, at the Lake Chapala Society on the patio under the blue umbrellas.
The Chapter will also be organizing a Global Presidential Primary in Ajijic on Tuesday, March 3. This special primary will be held on the south campus of the Lake Chapala Society at the lakefront entrance of Del Paseo 50. The Primary will be conducted at hundreds of voting centers around the world from March 3 to 10.
In follow-up, Democrats Abroad will send delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July, reflecting the results of this primary.
LCS bus trips
On Thursday, January 23, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to downtown Guadalajara for a self-guided walking tour.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trip. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.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 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.
Burns Supper
Niños Incapacitados holds a 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. 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.
Population control
Spay-Ghetti No Balls, a fundraiser for the Jocotepec spay and neuter clinic, is held Saturday, January 25, 5 to 8 p.m. at the 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..
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..
Meet the children
Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago invites you to meet some of the many children impacted by the help they have received by donations to this lakeside charity.
Hear their stories Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. in the Eucalyptus Room of the Hotel Real de Chapala.
Niños Incapacitados reimburses medical, physical and pharmaceutical expenses for Mexican children.
Information: programaninos.com.
Chili Cookoff
Cooks for the “Best of Lakeside” chili, margaritas and salsas are wanted for the 42nd annual Mexican National Chili Cookoff, to be held Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tobolandia water park.
The Chili Cookoff is one of Ajijic’s biggest and best parties of the year and includes non-stop entertainment. It is an important fundraiser for nine area charities, raising hundreds of thousands of pesos each year.
To enter competitions, 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. 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..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Jaltepec open house
Centro Educativo Jaltepec, a technical university in hotel and hospitality management, will hold an open house Monday, February 17, 11 a.m., with a presentation on the history of the institute.
Light refreshments will be served prior to 11 a.m. A tour of the facility will follow and then a complimentary lunch, prepared and served by the students, will provide an understanding of the quality of education the students receive. Seating is limited to 60 guests.
RSVP: Linda Buckthorp, 376-766-1631, 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., Monday at 7 p.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 22 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 “Not Seeing Dukkha (suffering) is Dukkha.”
The regular monthly social gathering is happening at Casa Cacao Monday, January 20, 4 p.m. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before noon, Saturday, January 18, to make a reservation.
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.