Open Circle
Judith Pasco presents “A Personal Journey to a Legacy” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, December 12, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Pasco tells her story of travel, cultural differences and bumps in the road that culminated in her founding and running an organization for indigenous women and children in Chiapas, Mexico. She will highlight all the “puzzle” pieces that had to fall into place, some intentionally and some not, and the unexpected and beautiful results that ensued. Her entertaining journey, filled with humor and mishaps, will inspire you to find a cause of your own.
Democrats Abroad
Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chapter presents a free Zoom presentation on “Bridging Cultures: Helping connect U.S. retirees and returning Hispanics living in Mexico”, featuring guest speaker Edgar López, Monday, December 13, 4 to 5 p.m.
López will cover the extensive and complex binational social networks between the U.S. and Mexico that constitute a fertile niche for cultural production.
One obstacle that addresses this binational social weave is the sharp divide between the U.S. workers and retirees residing in Mexico, and the Hispanic migrant families whose members straddle both sides of the border. However, López believes there is an opportunity for new cultural projects to bridge this gap and promote more inclusivity within this bicultural complex, if these projects can identify interests that can be shared between both strands of migrants.
López is a content creator residing in Mexico City and voting in Manhattan. During his career as a multilingual audiovisual writer, editor and producer, he has lived in London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul and the United States. He is currently producer of “The Gringo Show,”a news/comedy video program aimed at U.S./Mexico bicultural audiences. As a volunteer, he helps U.S. citizens abroad to vote. He presently serves as vice chair of the Democrats Abroad Mexico City Chapter and the Americas for the Hispanic Caucus, as well as being DA Mexico’s Global Social Media Manager.
LCS health event
Hospital San Antonio will sponsor two speakers in a joint venture with the Centro Endovasulcar Ajijic and the Chapala Cruz Roja, Tuesday, December 14, 4 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. Find out how to correctly use your international health insurance coverage in Mexico. Speakers are Dr. Hector Briseño, an interventional cardiologist, and Gabriel Perez, who will speak about the insurance options.
Community classes
• Chess classes are held at the Ajijic Cultural Center Sundays, 11 a.m. After the class there is a Sunday chess event for everyone in the plaza, at noon.
• Ballroom dance lessons are given at the Centro Cultural Ajijic Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 4 p.m.
Chapala Birders
• The Ajijic Christmas Bird Count will be conducted Wednesday, December 15. This is a special morning to count birds for science.
Participants must register 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.. Send your name, telephone, town, your preference for an area, whether you can bring a car or need a ride, and if you plan to attend the potluck that same evening. Participants are divided into five or six teams, who drive to specific parts of a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which runs from San Juan Cosala to San Nicolas de Ibarra and north to Lake Cajititlan. A team leader will be assigned to each group and will contact their group members to confirm the meeting point. The count is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Government protocols for masks and social distancing will apply.
• The potluck celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on the same day at John and Rosemary Keeling’s house in Ajijic. This is an opportunity to meet the other teams and compare sightings. The Keelings will provide wine and beer, and Rosemary will make her traditional shepherd’s pie. Attendees must be double-vaccinated for everyone’s safety.
• The Dike Christmas Bird Count at the east end of the lake will be Friday, December 17. This is an all-day affair, as it is 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Ajijic. Register by email. There will be one or two teams for this circle, which extends from Ocotlan to La Palma and east to Briseñas.
The first “Christmas Bird Count” was held in December 1900 to replace the traditional outdoor winter event, which was to go out with a gun and shoot as many ducks and geese as you could see – the winner being the shooter with the biggest bag. The Christmas Bird Count now extends to the Caribbean and Latin America. All count results are forwarded to the Audubon Society in New York for analysis.
Caroling
Join fully vaccinated carolers to sing at Lakeside assisted living homes, Thursday, December 16, beginning 9:30 a.m. The group will sing at Casa Nostra, Casa Anastasio, Mi Casita and finish at Ohana’s Independent Living Home in San Juan Cosala at 4 p.m. A lunch break at the Centro Laguna mall food court is scheduled around 1 p.m.
Bring a copy of your vaccination certificate. Contact Kay at 376-766-2495 or 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..
Lakeside Freethinkers
In lieu of a December meeting, the Lakeside Freethinkers will hold a Winter Solstice Party. This two-hour outdoor event will be Tuesday, December 21, and will be the first face-to-face get together in almost two years. The occasion will feature food, drink and reconnecting with fully vaccinated members.
The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who identifies himself or herself as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
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..
Helping women and girls
An Expo Bazar for “The Second Chance Program” will be held December 10 and 11, 1 to 8 p.m., at Porfirio Diaz 15, in front of the main plaza in San Juan Cosala.
This pogram presents a comprehensive solution for women and girls who lack education, are at risk of being left behind and have obstacles to obtaining income for their well-being.
Find out about their services and products: masages, elder care, crafts, conserves, local food and drink. Tour the ditital center and installations of this program. www.acpromexico.org.
New Year’s at Legion
American Legion Post 7 Chapala is holding an early-bird New Year’s Eve fundraiser event, Friday, December 31, with cocktails at 2 p.m., dinner at 3 p.m. and a New Year toast at 5 p.m. Enjoy all-you-can-eat, extra large, peel-and-dine on shrimp, chicken wings, corn on the cob, pasta salad and a roll and dessert for 300 pesos. Sweet Harmony entertains.No carry out; no pets. Tickets available at the Legion.
Piano Wanted
The American Legion is looking for a piano that someone would be happy to donate or sell at a reasonable price to enable piano teachers at Chapala’s Social Welfare Agency (DIF) to teach extremely disenfranchised children o play the piano. Contact Claire at 331-089-7584.
Home Tours
Early in 2022, the School for Special Children is holding its annual fundraiser and one of Lakeside’s favorite events, the Behind the Walls Home Tours.
See some of the area’s most beautiful abodes that sit behind high walls.
Dates are: January 27, February 24 and March 24. Proof of vaccination and masks will be required.
For more information call Jessie, 376-766-1438 or Mary 376-766-6129.