Blood drive
The Rotary Club of Ajijic is sponsoring a blood drive on Saturday, May 29. Anyone under 65 can register.
It includes a free Covid-19 test, health screening, breakfast, T-shirt and round-trip transportation to Guadalajara. Call Dr. Cherry at 331-699-2414 for more information.
Open Circle
Luis Pacheco and Steve Balfour present “LCS Open Forum” at the Open Circle gathering at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) on Sunday, May 30, 10:30 a.m.
This Open Circle presentation will be something a little different. Luis Pacheco, LCS’ new executive director, and President Steve Balfour will share all the things currently going on at the community organization.
Phil Rylett will be the moderator and Luis and Steve will answer some of the most common questions about LCS and what the future holds.
The pandemic has slowed things down, both say, but there is a lot of work happening in the background.
This is also an opportunity to offer your thoughts on LCS programs and directions for the future.
Legion Post 7
American Legion Post 7 Chapala holds a Memorial Day service Monday, May 31, 1 p.m., followed by a social hour at 2 p.m. and a dinner of BBQ pork ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and peach crisp at 3 p.m. Live music by the Charlie Cook Band will be from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Tickets, 300 pesos, can be picked up at the Legion.
Jaltepec news
Centro Educativo Jaltepec celebrates the publication of its 25th quarterly newsletter this month. The informative newsletter boasts a readership of 300 sponsors, both at Lakeside and north of the border.
The latest edition explains how the hostelry and hospitality technical university for young women in the pueblo of Jaltepec is in the midst of demolition and reconstruction of its facilities. That and Covid-19 protocols have resulted in the implementation of a completely new academic approach, as many of the students have been continuing their studies from home for the past year.
The school reopened for 25 students in February and, after a short vacation, those students returned for their next quarter of education on May 24, to complete some practical experience and learn teamwork with fellow students.
The 12 theoretical instructors teach from home and the students take their classes online at the school. They then take practical classes in the laboratory facilities from the ten teachers living at the school.
More than 350,000 pesos has been invested in this hybrid learning system so far. Presently, there are two classrooms set up, although one still requires a TV monitor, high-definition cameras, microphones, platforms and laptops. Once these essentials are obtained, the school may be able to welcome back some of its preparatoria (high school) students in the next academic year.
To help these young women reach their potential, you can donate by contacting Linda Buckthorp 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..
SAFE scholarship program
The Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club works with the Save a Future with Education (SAFE) scholarship program that was started in 2002.
The club directly – and indirectly through other Rotary Clubs north of the border – sponsors nearly 100 lakeside children from poor families that don’t have the funds to send all of their children to school. SAFE currently sponsors 130 children, but there is a long waiting list of families who want their children to go to public school, but just don’t have the means.
The cost per year is US$75 per primary school student, US$90 per year per junior high school student and US$200 per high school student.
SAFE requires the parents to give them receipts for all expenditures, whether for uniforms and notebooks or, more recently, laptops, cell phones and internet bills.
To find out more and/or donate, contact Ginger Gonzales 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..