Open Circle
David Morales presents “Strategic Targeted Outreach Program (S.T.O.P), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, January 23, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for investigating, disrupting, and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and terrorist networks that threaten or seek to exploit the customs and immigration laws of the United States. HSI has long been a leader in the global fight against transnational human trafficking organizations, using the full breadth of their criminal, immigration, and trade-based authorities to proactively identify, disrupt and dismantle cross-border human trafficking organizations and minimize the risk they pose to national security and public safety. HSI targets human traffickers using a comprehensive approach, with an emphasis on partnerships and interagency coordination, outreach, and coalition building. HSI counter-trafficking efforts are bolstered by its relationships with law enforcement, NGOs, and other community partners who are equipped to recognize and report human trafficking. HSI Guadalajara will provide a brief overview of the collective effort, discuss the various types of trafficking, and identify indicators to assist in identifying trafficking in your community.
Celebrate the bard
The annual Rabbie Burns Supper, held as a fundraiser for Niños Incapacitados, is on again—although virtually and at home. Enjoy a wonderful night of food and entertainment, Tuesday, January 25. Videos of the local Scottish dancers and interviews and toasts from people you may recognize will be streamed to ticket holders for this “at home” Burns Supper. Chef Alex Sgroi will prepare a delicious turkey dinner and more. With each meal, a wee bottle of Scotch, a shot glass and more are included. Tickets, 700 pesos for the meal and entertainment and 300 pesos for the entertainment only, will include a lucky draw for a 75-ml bottle of Ballantine’s 12-year-old Scotch. Deadline to register online is January 16. Information: programaninos.com.
Chapala Birders
Tuesday, January 25, the Lake Chapala Birders will meet at 8 a.m. at the sculpture in La Floresta on the highway, departing immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (a 90-minute drive). The group will bird from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Expect to see various shore birds including higher altitude birds such as acorn woodpecker, slate-throated redstart and possibly a trans-volcanic jay. Bring your own refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12:30 p.m. lunch stop. The group will return to Ajijic by about 4 p.m. Reserve at least two days ahead of the trip 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..
Bird-walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars.
For more information, see chapalabirders.org.
LCS organization list
The Lake Chapala Society is seeking to update its list of charitable, social, and support organizations. These groups could include environmental, social issues, animal welfare, support groups, etc., any group that contributes and gives back to the Lakeside area.
If you are involved with a group and want to ensure the group’s inclusion in LCS’ inventory, use this Google form: forms.gle/195gjxjW1z2X9kba6.
Workshops
The Chapala Cultural department will hold a variety of workshops beginning the second week of February at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia, Av. Madero 220, corner of Hidalgo. Tel. 376-765-2017. All classes are in Spanish.
Mondays:
• Popular guitar classes from 10 to 11 a.m.
• Vihuela de Mariachi classes from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Solfeo (music theory, sight reading and auditory training) noon to 1 p.m.
Tuesdays:
• Violin for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m.
Wednesdays:
• Anatomic drawing classes, 4 to 8 p.m.
Thursdays:
• Introduction to digital photography, 5 to 6 p.m.
Fridays:
• Painting for beginners, 4 to 5 p.m.
• Children’s folkloric dance classes, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
LCS classes
The Lake Chapala Society offers members many classes to make their lives here at lakeside more enjoyable and informed. Sign up either at the LCS office or online at the LCS website.
• Mexican Manners with instructor Alfred Perez, will help you understand the local habits and rules your Mexican neighbors live by. The class is February 2, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ken Gosh Pavilion.
• Aztec History and Culture before Cortez by instructor Ted Rogers is a nine-segment course looking at the cultures that predated the Aztecs, then the unification process by both conquest and commerce, that brought the Aztec empire into existence as a society that encompassed over five million people. Look into Aztec art, mythology, cosmology, and day-to-day social life. Beginning with the cultures that laid the foundation for the Aztec society around 1600 B.C., the class will finish with the Aztec Empire just before the arrival of Cortez.
Rogers holds a triple concentration Ph.D. in history from the University of Colorado, as well as earning that university’s top teaching award. He has been Visiting Scholar at the London School of Economics, Lambeth Palace, and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. His travels to over fifty countries, having lived in four of them, give him a unique perspective, which further informs his teaching.
The class is every Wednesday and Friday, February 2 to March 2, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Gazebo.
• How to Manage Economic Inflation as an Expat with instruction by Ted Rogers. The 5-session class is every Tuesday and Friday, February 8 to 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the gazebo.
• Advance Care Planning Workshop on Living Well and Dying Well in Lakeside by Loretta Downs is Febraury 9 and 16, 10 a.m. to noon at the gazebo. This two-part workshop gives you information on Mexican healthcare directives, wills, and the LCS document along with guidance and motivation to complete and register your document as part of your total advance care planning process.