Grand piano makes debut
Mary Bragg received her Yamaha grand piano at La Pueblita on November 10. The same day, 13-year old piano prodigy Lee Schneider gave a concert for all La Pueblita residents.
Schneider has been playing piano since he was four and takes lessons from Joel Juan Qui in Guadalajara He moved here with his parents five years ago. Bragg is a 23-year lakeside resident who has supported numerous charitable causes in her years here.
Bragg says the piano was a gift from her husband John (who was president of Yamaha USA) on their first Valentine’s Day together as husband and wife, 40 years ago. The piano had been in storage in California for ten years while they were running a business in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, before their move here, and then was moved four times to their various Lakeside residences before finally arriving at La Pueblita.
When the couple lived in Las Salvias, their living room was a concert hall for Northern Lights performances, featuring the piano. More concerts are planned for the piano (including one by Lee near Christmas) now that it is in the La Pueblita auditorium, which Bragg says had good acoustics.
Mini Mini Feria
The Lake Chapala Society holds a Mercado Navideño (Christmas Market) Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20, noon to 5 p.m. Some fine craftsmen and women who are aligned with the Feria Maestros del Arte will be selling their wares, including carved bone jewelry, ceramic mugs, hand-hammered copper jewelry, carved wood pens, Michoacan-designed mirrors, Oaxaca huipiles and other textiles, handmade toys from Zirahuen, amate paper made from bark and lirio paper from the plant that floats in Lake Chapala. Masks are mandatory as are temperature checks and gel. Information: Kathie Karancz, 332-604-7234.
Last chance for the beach
If you want to rub toes in the sand while you eat great seafood, then stop in to Baja Norte before it moves. This interesting restaurant that started as a food truck located just west of Donas Donuts, serving up incredible seafood concoctions along with regular Ensenada-style fish tacos, is changing venues. Sunday will be the last day on the “beach.” In early December they plan to open at a much larger venue with parking just a few blocks east in the old Italian Restaurant (in front of the Oxxo) that closed a couple of years ago. You can see the construction going on now. Good luck Baja Norte, but we’ll miss the beach!
Dog behavior workshop
Dog trainer Guillermo Diaz holds a workshop on canine instincts and behavior management, with on-site training, at Rancho Santa Monica Campestre, Av. del Jaguey 1 in Chapala (just north of the Libramiento entrance in Chapala). The course is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21. Information: Cindy Martin, 331-171-8628.
Open Circle
Dr. Richard Diehl presents “Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), the art of communication excellence,” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 21, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
In today’s divided world, would you like to be more effective in having folks appreciate your point of view, while still maintaining rapport? Come learn how to improve your communication skills. This gift will include conversations, internal (and optional) exercises, and time for Q&A. You may wish to take notes.
Richard Diehl (Ph.D., M.Ed., L.Ac.) is an internationally recognized NLP master trainer, having taught NLP in nine countries on five continents. In his other life he maintained a successful practice as an acupuncturist and traditional naturopath. Diehl lived in Hawaii for 31 years prior to moving to the U.S. mainland five years ago. This is his third winter in Ajijic. He and his partner Gayla are seriously looking at moving here.
Caroling
Kay Borkowski, who in the past has organized the Lakeside Singers caroling at area rest homes, is calling on fully vaccinated carolers to step up and make the season bright for those who can’t get out. Deborah Inkster-Bain has offered to accompany the group with her portable electric piano. If interested, contact Borkowski ASAP at 376-766-2495 or via 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..
Christmas bazaars
• ANAVETS hosts a bazaar, Saturday, November 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mama’s Musical Bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Large round tables will rent for 100 pesos. Contact Cindy Thompson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 331-895-6866.
• The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 7 Chapala hosts their bazaar, Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Post, Morelos 114 in Chapala. Tables will rent for 75 pesos. Contact: Carol Dugan, 331-720-1723.
• La Bella Vida holds its 13th annual Fiesta de Navidad, Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come and meet artists, listen to music and enjoy refreshments while you shop for holiday gifts, decorations and more. Constitucion 6 in Ajijic.
Queen presents
Queen D. Michele presents “A Soul’s Journey” at La Pueblita, Saturday, December 4, 11 a.m. to noon. A Detroit native who moved to Lakeside four years ago, Queen has published two books. The first, “Considerations: A Guide for Moving Abroad,” was about her solo move from Atlanta, Georgia, after retiring from 27 years of teaching. The book has gotten rave reviews.
Queen was interviewed by Carol Kaufman for this newspaper in February 2019. A couple of years later she took another journey, but inward. She wrote “Traveling Home Together,” a sort of new earth handbook for living consciously, guiding people inward to discover themselves. In her free presentation at La Pueblita’s Café Tindo, Queen will offer a workshop series held once a month based on this book. To find out more, come to the presentation. RSVP: 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..
Do it for the kids
The Punto Verde deli café in Riberas del Pilar is the drop-off spot for those who would like to donate new toys for the children of San Pedro Itzican and Mezcala. The last day to drop off toys is December 20. All are invited to the delivery, Tuesday, December 21, noon. For more information call 376-106-2401.