Open Circle
Terry Rosson will talk about “Democracy Today: A Global Look at Three Types of Government” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, August 14, 10:30 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chair Rosson will focus on democracy at the global level in 2022.
• Explore a brief history of democracy since 1700—including women’s right to vote.
• Dig into the many types of democracy, from full to flawed to hybrid.
• Examine high-level pros and cons of each type.
A Q&A session will include a discussion of the benefits and commitments required by each type of democracy.
Register at opencircleajijic.org (click on Contact Us).
U.S. notarizations
Charles (“Chuck”) D. Wilder, Esq., a Lake Chapala Society member and a Florida attorney and civil-law notary, will be available at the LCS campus Friday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to notarize documents that are valid for recording, filing or other notarization purposes in the United States. The fee is $US35 for the first document and $US25 for each additional document. Wilder will accept U.S. currency or equivalent cash in pesos.
You will be required to make a copy in the LCS office of each document to provide him for his protocol at your expense.
Strange Trip
Randy Brutsche has published his true-life story of an American tourist seeking a retirement lifestyle in Mexico, “An Illegal Gringo in Old Mexico.”
While traveling via bus to see the countryside, Brutsche saw many instances of immigration agents entering the bus to randomly check passengers for proper travel documents. When it finally happened to him, he quickly found out he did not have what was required. As an illegal alien without a visa or tourist visitation form, he was taken off the bus, his luggage pulled out, and the bus drove away. What followed was a hair-raising ordeal thrown at him in a language he did not speak that included being imprisoned for six days in a detention facility in Acayucan, Veracruz. It ended when he was accompanied by two Mexican immigration agents and deported to Houston, Texas.
You can buy his book on Amazon.
The Brain Benders
The Brain Benders have added a twist to their traditional Trivia Night format. While the first two and last two rounds will continue the regular structure and rotating categories that include History, Geography, Art & Literature, Science & Nature, Foodie Facts, Sports & Leisure and Entertainment, the middle round will now be called “The Spotlight Round” and will feature 12 short-answer questions focused on a more specific topic. Join the Britt Brain Benders Monday at Mama’s Musical Bar and Wednesdays, 6 p.m. at The Cocktail Bar in Ajijic.
Gastronomic day out
Chef Franco Oliva is conducting a food and wine paring at El Tejon Winery in San Luis Soyatlan, Saturday, August 20. Roast goat and sucking pig will be pared with wine. The tasting, the food, live music and round trip transportation from Ajijic is 1,500 pesos.
El Tejon has been making wine for 25 years. Information and RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 322-121-0934.
Exclusive tour
The Centro Educativo Jaltepec gives monthly private tours of Tequila Reserva de los Gonzalez in Los Altos de Jalisco. The tours include a four-course locally grown luncheon, tequila tasting, wine and refreshments, and transportation in a 15-seat luxury van. The Gonzalez family that came up with Tequila Don Julio, before selling it to Diageo Brands some 20 years ago. The family then built a beautiful new distillery and began producing their family name tequila. The owner and his daughter give the exclusive tour. All proceeds benefit the local hospitality and hotel educational institution that transforms local young women’s lives.
Information: Linda Buckthorp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 333-407-8193.
Australian wine
Liz Russell will introduce Riesling, Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon from Alumna, a family-owned winery in the Barossa Valley of Australia at a wine paring Wednesday, August 24, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Casa del Sol Inn.
RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 376-766-0050.
Tequila lovers
The Lake Chapala Society will hold a tequila tasting event in the gardens Friday, August 26, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Ten distributors that work with Liquoreria Paz in San Antonio Tlayacapan will present 80 different varieties of tequila. Unlimited tasting and appetizers are included in the price of admission: 300 pesos general public, 250 pesos LCS members. Tickets at the LCS offices 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday or via lakechapalasociety.com.