Open Circle
There are no presentations at Open Circle Sunday, December 26, or Sunday, January 2.
Chapala Birders
Tuesday, December 28, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet at 8 a.m. at the traffic light in La Floresta near Restaurant Pranzo, leaving immediately for the Roza Amarilla Loop (a 60-minute drive).
Expect to see a variety of grassland birds and possibly a white-tailed hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12:30 p.m. lunch stop. The group returns about 3 p.m. Reserve at least two days ahead of the trip via email: 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..
Bird-walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars.
The group has knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. Protocols for masks and social distancing will apply, including within vehicles. At restaurants, all participants must by fully vaccinated.
Burning Bowl Ceremony
End the year with positive vibrations! Come together with the Center for Spiritual Living Chapala at Nicolas Bravo 17 in Ajijic for a Burning Bowl Ceremony, starting 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
This is a powerful ritual that provides an opportunity to let go of anything that no longer serves you and clear the way for the good you want in the coming year. It is also a time to forgive yourself and others in exchange for inner peace.
The ceremony includes writing whatever you want to release or forgive on flash paper and casting it into the flames.
New Year’s Eve dining
• 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 shrimp, chicken wings, corn on the cob, pasta salad and a roll and dessert for 300 pesos. No carry out, no pets. Sweet Harmony entertains. Tickets available at the Legion.
• La Bodega puts on a Fiesta de Gala New Year’s Eve with Ricardo and Blanca performing 9 p.m. 750 pesos. Details and reservations: 376-766-1002.
• Casa Linda offers an early New Year’s Eve dinner from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a menu of shrimp bisque, lobster tail or garlic crusted rack of lamb and sachertorte for dessert. Reservations: 376-108-0887.
• Emmanuel’s Experiences has a special menu for New Year’s including a mini paella starter, garden soup or artichoke salad, main courses are a choice of sea bass or lightly smoked duck breast and a mascarpone and coffee cream tiramisu for dessert. Cost is 700 pesos. Reservations: 332-041-7968.
• El Sombrero offers grilled rock Cornish hen, stuffed pork loin fillet, a seafood plate with lobster, shrimp and salmon or a filet mignon with mushroom sauce from 4 to 8 p.m. Reservations: 376-688-2662.
• La Estacion Sourdough Pizza and Bakery holds a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. offering wine and good food. No cover.
• Manix hosts a dinner dance from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music is by Sergio Garibi Jazz Trio. The menu is appetizers, squash blossom soup, chicken saltimbocca or shrimp in lobster sauce stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon or chateaubriand with bernaise sauce served with mashed potatoes, corn soufflé, roasted veggies and bananas flambe with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Champagne and grapes at midnight. 1,200 pesos. Reservations: 376-766-0061.
• Restaurant Casa di Romeo y Julieta in Chapala offers a glass of wine and bruchetta, Caesar salad, fava bean soup, roast pork in an almond white wine sauce with rosemary and sweet potatoes, sparkling wine with lime gelato and an apple cinnamon strudel for 750 pesos. Reservations: 331-255-3226.
• Oui Oui, just a block off the Ajijic Malecon at Independencia 2, offers a 12-course menu starting at 1,299 pesos. The menu includes oysters, beef flambé, wild salmon, champagne sorbet, midnight champagne and truffles and much more. Reservations: 333-131-7349.
LCS classes
The Lake Chapala Society will continue to offer a variety of classes throughout the coming year. Membership is needed for most of the classes.
• The Jalisco driver's license class will take place January 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m. with instructor Alfredo Perez. The class will cover documents and processing, types of licenses available, the Mexican police, the Jalisco Secretary of Transportation, visual traffic signs and Chapala traffic regulations. January 13, Perez will take the group to the driver's license office to take their tests.
• Mexican manners covers the cultural differences between those south and north of the border and allows you to learn to fit in and coexist with your new neighbors. The class is January 5, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Instructor: Alfredo Perez.
• Traditional hot beverages seminar will teach you how to make café de olla, ponche de frutas, champurrado, atole and ponche de nuez. January 6, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. with instructor Ana Moreno.
• Introduction to Lakeside is offered in person and via Zoom. The class gives a wide variety of information that will help you understand and live easier at Lakeside. The on-campus class is January 10, 9 a.m. to noon and the Zoom class is January 14, 9 a.m. to noon. Instructor: Rachel McMillen.
• Mexican winter fruits will introduce you to many fruit types you are unfamiliar with and how to prepare them. January 11, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Instructor: Alfredo Perez.
Ukulele
The Ukulele School of Ajijic is forming a beginners' class in ukulele. They say you can start from zero and play songs from the first lesson. The first class (of seven one-hour weekly sessions each Friday) begins January 7, 1 p.m. Ukulele rentals are available. Only fully vaccinated folks my apply. 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..
Home Tours
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, sitting 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.