Open Circle
Sandy Britton presents “Why Do We Do That?” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 10, 10:30 a.m. in the garden at Lake Chapala Society
We humans have a lot of strange behaviors – some that we share with other animals, some we don’t; some that science can explain, some that it can’t; some that are voluntary, some involuntary. For instance, why do we laugh? Gossip? Talk to ourselves? Why does every human culture have some form of music? Join Britton to explore the quirkier side of human behavior.
Britton is from northern California. Her background is in software development but she’s always been fascinated by the computer between our ears.
In order to follow Jalisco safety precautions, attendance will be limited to 80 persons, use of a mask is mandatory and temperature checks will be made on entry.
Make your reservation and check the schedule at www.opencircleajijic.org.
Bring your own coffee or bottled water, and remove containers upon departure.
Help the Tarahumara
A collection is being taken for the Tarahumara Project with a drop-off January 9 and 10 at Flavio Romero 370-B in Chapala.
Needed are clean winter clothing, boots, bedclothes, towels and toiletries, as well as classroom supplies, backpacks, books and games for children in Spanish. Also needed are funds to pay for gas for the 900-mile trip from Chapala to the Sierra Chihuahua and back. For more information, contact Libby Townsend, 376-766-3338.
Lake Chapala Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders fielded five small teams for the Ajijic area Christmas Bird Count on December 15, and one team for the dike area at the east end of the Lake on December 17.
In the Ajijic circle they counted 9,462 birds of 128 species, and in the dike circle 26,134 birds of 91 species, for a combined 150 species. New species included a rufous-capped brush finch, an Aztec thrush and an olive warbler on the Caracol Trail, and three Swainson’s hawks on the dike.
Other highlights included the spotting of a Black-chinned Hummingbird in San Antonio Tlayacapan; a Long-billed Curlew on the dike during the Christmas Bird Count; and Pine Siskins on the mountain above Mazamitla. A total of 174 species were sighted in December.
Bird walks begin again this month. Tuesday January 12, the Birders will meet at 8:15 a.m. at the entrance to Cristiania Park in Chapala. Expect to see an interesting selection of species in the park trees and on the shore of the lake. The group will bird for about two hours. Wear face masks and practice social distancing. Reserve 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..
For more information or to inform the group about sightings of birds or nests, call John Keeling at 376-766-1801 or visit chapalabirders.org.
Grief Group
Anyone who has lost a partner through death or divorce, or a parent or child, is invited to join this grief group which meets Wednesday, January 13, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Through a circle of support, members explore their feelings and focus towards reclaiming their lives.
The group is run by professional counselor Valerie Rhoda. There is no fee.
Call Rhoda at 376-766-4522 for information on where the group meets.
LCS classes
• A class on Mexican table chocolate will be held for LCS members Friday, January 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In this hands-on class, instructor Norma Maldonado, from Casa Cacau, will instruct on how to identify and recognize the fruit of cocoa, study the process cocoa goes through from seed to the end result of a delicious table chocolate.
See lakechapalasociety.com for registration and payment or stop into the office.
• Lake Chapala Society members are invited to join the new schedule of learning and independent working in Mudlark’s Pottery Studio on the South Campus. Health safety is a concern, so the number of participants is limited. For fees see the LCS website.
Introduction to Ceramics is open to all LCS members. This course will cover basic hand building techniques of construction, glazing and finishing, and meets Mondays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration for the course is limited to six participants after the 25th of the previous month.
Open Studio, offering the chance to work independently, is open to all those who have completed one month of the Introduction to Ceramics course. It meets Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration for Open Studios is at any time.
• Rachel McMillen will give a course on Introduction to Creative Writing, Wednesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 10, 17, 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the LCS Art Mural Patio. See lakechapalasociety.com for registration and payment or stop into the office.
Burns Supper
The well-attended yearly celebration of Scottish Bard Rabbie Burns, which traditionally features a supper in support of the Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago charity, is offered “at home” this year on Monday, January 25.
The dinner includes a turkey dinner, a 50-ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Scotch, a shot glass and more. Entertainment will be virtual toasts.
The deadline to register online is January 14. For all the details and to register for your meal, see the events page at www.programaninos.com.
All proceeds will go to help the approximately 165 children with serious disabilities or life-threatening diseases in the group’s program.