Open Circle
Loretta Downs presents “How to Die When You’re Ready” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, February 9, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Self-determination is the process by which individuals control their own lives, including the end of them. Learn about the ethical, safe and legal ways available in the United States, Canada and Mexico to exercise this basic human right to die on our own terms — how we miss opportunities to use it and what obstacles prevent us from achieving it.
Downs has been accompanying people at the end of their lives for nearly 40 years – listening, serving and observing the many ways we die. She sees natural death as a sacred passage deserving of recognition and fervent support. Downs founded Chrysalis End-of-Life Inspirations (endoflifeinspirations.com) and is an advance care planning facilitator, a certified senior advisor and a member of a hospital ethics committee. She has a master’s degree in gerontology with a major in thanatology. In summer, she raises monarch butterflies in Chicago; in winter she hibernates in Ajijic.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Drop-ins also welcome." class="caption" style="float: right;" width="540" height="322" />Information: opencircleajijic.org.
Democrats Abroad
The next meeting of Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chapter is Monday, February 10, 4 p.m. at La Bodega in Ajijic. Dr. Jill Anderson will speak on “A Harbinger of Our Time: From DACA to Deportations,” which will explore forced and undocumented migration as an element of our political, economic and cultural norms, and as a transnational issue rather than a national one. She will also present some proposals by migrants who are organizing to respond to the crises that have led to forced migration.
Anderson has lived in Mexico since 2007. She co-authored the book “Los Otros Dreamers” (2014), and has written articles published by Latino Studies, Norteamérica, Wilson Center-Mexico Institute, and others. Currently she is co-director of “Otros Dreams en Accion (ODA), a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy, support, and empowerment of deported and returning immigrant youth in Mexico.
A Global Presidential Primary will be held in Ajijic Tuesday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society South Campus lakefront entrance on Del Paseo 50. This Primary will be conducted at hundreds of voting centers worldwide for U.S. citizens. Democrats Abroad will send delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July. They will represent the total expat votes from this Primary.
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 February 11 include: people who talk to their pets are smarter than those who don’t; could “young” blood stop us getting old?; and potential way to halt blinding macular degeneration identified.
Moderated by Fred Harland and presented by Richard Clarke.
Progressive Action Group
A discussion and review of the U.S. Constitution will take place at the next meeting of the Progressive Action Group, Tuesday, February 11, 3 p.m. at Casa Linda, Rio Bravo 7 in Ajijic.
Mel Goldberg will lead the discussion and have copies of the Constitution.
The Progressive Action Group is gathering of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to political problems. Information: Facebook/Progressive Action Group; 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..
TED Talks
The next Ted Talk is Tuesday, February 11, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, when scientist and entrepreneur David Sinclair presents “A Cure for Aging?”
Sinclair thinks there is, and he aims to prove it.
Sinclair is working on increasing human health, productivity and lifespan. After co-discovering a molecular cause of aging at the Massachusetts Institute in Boston in the mid-1990s, He joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School, where he is now a tenured professor. In 2005, he founded the Glenn Laboratories for Aging Research at Harvard and serves as their co-director. He is also a professor at the Lowy Cancer Centre at the University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Open to LCS members only. Hosted by Fred Harland.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Mexican Manners with Alfredo Perez. Learn about behavior, punctuality, tipping, body language and more. Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Introduction to Lakeside. Topics include: banking, shopping, medical services, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays, and religious observations. Thursday, February 13, 9 a.m.
• Pozole Mío! with Ana Moreno. Learn how to prepare this traditional Mexican dish and the history around it. Tuesday, February 18, 1-4 p.m.
• Dealing with the services of building and remodeling in Mexico with Marcos Fuentes. Avoid fraud when hiring architects or constructors. Know the legal processes for construction and a municipality’s requirements for building. Wednesdays, March 4 and 11, 10-11:15 a.m. Registration required.
• Eviction of renters and land squatters with María de las Nieves Solbes. Find out what to do to avoid home invasions and what to do if it already happened to you. Fridays, March 6 to 27, 2-3:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Expat Info Fair
The next meeting of Conexiones Entre Amigos, a monthly networking event hosted by the Lake Chapala Society, will feature an Expat Information Fair Thursday, February 13, noon to 3 p.m. at LCS.
Meet with U.S. Consulate staff about the U.S. voting program, visas, federal benefits, social security, foreign commerce, public diplomacy, etcetera. Also participating are the Canadian Club of Lake Chapala, the Canadian Consulate General of Canada in Guadalajara, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations, the National Institute of Immigration, the Chapala Police Department, the Chapala Department of Motor Vehicles, the Mexican Revenue Service (SAT), the Mexican Census Department, Zacatecas and Jalisco tourism officials, The American Legion Post 7and an ambulance service company. Free entrance.
U.S. voter registration
The Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico continues its non-partisan voter registration support to Lakeside residents who wish to vote absentee in their state primaries and the November election. Register and request your absentee ballots online at VoteFromAbroad.org. For those needing assistance, Lake Chapala Chapter volunteers will be available every Thursday, through February 27, noon to 2 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic on the patio under the blue umbrellas. 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..
Lake Chapala Birders
The Great Backyard Birdcount (GBBC) runs from February 14 to February 17. Everyone from beginners to experienced birders are encouraged to dedicate a time and place to observe birds and report the sightings on eBird or the GBBC website, birdcount.org. The results are used to monitor the changes in bird populations.
Monday February 17, the Birders will meet 8 a.m. at the “Las Palmas” road on the west side of Ajijic. Expect to see some shore birds, and some birds in the tall trees. At about 10 a.m. they will head to Fonda Dona Lola for breakfast and complete the bird list.
To get there drive about two miles west from Calle Colon, look for a bus stop in front of a vivero (plant nursery) with signs to Las Palmas on one side and Hacienda La Cristina on the other. Park between the bus stop and the vivero, leaving space for others to park.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Tai Chi
Longtime local martial arts master Cindy Paul holds Qigong/Tai Chi every Friday, 3 to 4 p.m. at the Drishti Center, Calle Allen W. Lloyd 152 in San Antonio Tlayacapan. 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..
Rotary Club Ajijic
The Rotary Club of Ajijic is holding a Valentine’s Day dinner-dance and art auction as their fifth annual fundraiser to support community projects, Friday, February 14, 6 to 11 p.m. at the Hotel Tapatio in Guadalajara. Tickets, 600 pesos, are available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chapala Med in Plaza Interlago in the Libramiento or from any of their members.
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..
Tech classes at LCS
Michael Goss teaches tech classes most 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..
• February 20, Streaming TV
• 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
Thursday, February 20, the Lake Chapala Society bus heads to Costco and Home Depot on Avenida Lopez Mateos in Guadalajara, and on Thursday, February 27 to the Guadalajara Zoo.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure time and cost of the trips. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com.
Mardi Gras
American Legion Post 7 Ladies Auxiliary presents 2020 Mardi Gras party, Fat Tuesday, February 25 at the post as a benefit for the Chapala Police Department and the Legion. Cocktails begin 2 p.m., dinner 3 p.m. Enjoy Zydeco music, crudités, choice of gumbo or vegetarian lasagna, hushpuppies and bread pudding. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at the Legion.
Tequila tasting
The Lake Chapala Lake Chapala Society hosts the fourth Annual Tequila Tasting Friday, February 28, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Experience over 30 different types of tequila with complimentary appetizers. All the brands will be available for purchase by cash or credit card. Tickets available at LCS for 200 pesos in advance and 250 pesos at the door.
Insight Meditation
Periods for silent meditation are on Sunday at 9 a.m., Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m., and Thursday at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, February 12, the practice period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein.
A yoga class suitable for students of all levels is offered at The Heart of Awareness on Thursdays from 9-10:45 am. Mats and blocks are provided.
DaeJa Napier, senior teacher in the Insight Meditation/Vipassana tradition will be in residency with The Heart of Awareness (HOA) February 19-23. “Living in the Heart of Awareness” will be the theme of her teachings.
Napier will offer a talk following the meditation period Wednesday, February 19, as well as the opportunity for individual meetings that day or Thursday, February 20, and a non-residential weekend retreat at The Heart of Awareness February 21 to 23. Registration is now open for individual meetings and the retreat. Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.heartofawareness.org.
The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.