Open Circle
Noris Binet presents “Where Did We Come From? Where Are We Going?” at Open Circle, Sunday, December 20, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
For all living things, physical identity is the result of countless generations of evolution and DNA encoding. Each of us carries an extraordinary legacy. When we become fully aware of the genetic pool of our ancestry, we realize we are part of a colorful tapestry. Wherever we go we bring with us who we are. That place is transformed by what we bring and in turn we are transformed by the place. Binet will explore how this transformational exchange takes place, a process enabling us to realize our one-ness and to love life as it is — always new, flowing, unpredictable, and mysterious.
A visual artist, poet, author, spiritual teacher and sociologist, Binet lived in Ajijic from 1982 to 89. A native of the Dominican Republic, she studied with several indigenous communities, including the Huichols for whom Lake Chapala is sacred. She has worked over decades with diverse communities around the world to build bridges by reclaiming a sense of the sacred. Binet has a BA in sociology from the Universidad de Guadalajara and received an honorary PhD from the International Institute of Human Sciences in Canada. She returned to Ajijic three years ago.
Attendance is limited to 80 persons, use of a mask is mandatory and temperature checks are made on entry. Make reservations and check the schedule at www.opencircleajijic.org.
Bring your own coffee or bottled water, and remove containers upon departure.
Man’s best friend
This holiday season give a truly meaningful gift. Sponsor one of the over 100 dogs at The Ranch.
For just 600 pesos ($US30 or $CAN36) per month, you can bring the gift of hope to one of the many beautiful dogs waiting to find their forever home. Your donation provides food, medicine and medical care to support us in our efforts to give every dog a happy and healthy life while in our care.
Go to theranchchapala.com/sponsor-a-dog. Your name will be placed on the website under the description of the dog you sponsor.
Information: Cindy, 331-737-2704 or 376-766-3353.
LCS Spanish classes
Spanish classes open to current LCS members are varied both in options and times.
• Introduction to Spanish designed for individuals without any Spanish language background is being offered. The instructor will introduce learners to Spanish pronunciation, some vocabulary and social protocols. Class sizes are kept to a maximum of 12 students with a minimum of four students. Classes are held the first three Tuesdays of each month, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Gazebo.
• Spanish in Action courses are offered in six terms of seven weeks each during the calendar year. Courses at four levels of difficulty will be available. Each course will have two parts to keep the course content manageable
• Spanish a la Carta is a new online program from LCS for its members, learners and practitioners of Spanish. This program includes advanced and intermediate level conversation sessions. There are sessions with specific grammar topics and sessions to improve listening comprehension and pronunciation. For some classes, some material will be sent over email prior to the class for you to read so that your participation is smooth and you can get the most out of it. The curriculum is divided into packages with specific learning activities: improve your pronunciation of Spanish; conversation for intermediate students; conversation for advanced students; and practical grammar. Each program will consist of two or more Zoom sessions of about 70 minutes each. Class sizes for all packages are limited to nine persons.
For more information on costs, materials, days and times of these classes, email Alfredo Perez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• An English/Spanish conversation group for intermediate Spanish/English speakers to practice their second language speaking and listening in an informal environment is held Saturdays, noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Ken Gosh Pavilion. This group is focused on communication in a second language and not grammatical purity. Participation is limited. Contact Phillip Rylett, 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..
Dolls and Tarahumara
Rebecca Roth of Original Friends Dolls and Libby Townsend of the Tarahumara Project are teaming up to have a socially distanced Christmas sale and fundraiser for their respective projects, at the American Legion Post 7, Morelos 114 in Chapala, Saturday, December 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On offer will be dolls, Tarahumara handicrafts, new women’s plus-size clothing, jewelry and lots of other Christmas goodies.
By attending the sale and purchasing items, you can help Townsend and Roth with their projects to assist two of the most marginalized groups of people in Mexico – and maybe give them a little bit of Christmas cheer.
You can also help with a donation of cash to either group, as well as by donating warm clothing or blankets to the Tarahumara Project, or personal care items or materials that can be used to create more dolls to the Original Friends Dolls.
For more information about either group, contact Roth at 333-486-8890, or Townsend at 333-495-7263.