Sharing the Highway
Writes Sean Godfrey: As one who survived an encounter with the proverbial black cow on a dark Mexican highway a couple of decades back, I’m always on the lookout for livestock on as I travel the GDL-Chapala highway each week to do Reporter business.
In the last month, I’ve seen a herd of goats streaming onto the Libramiento from the shortcut on Allyn Lloyd Drive behind Birds of Paradise to San Antonio; seven horses that meandered diagonally across the highway from Brisas de Chapala to Chapala Haciendas, causing rapid breaking maneuvers of a dozen Chapala-bound vehicles speeding downhill and those picking up speed as they rounded the corner heading north; and about 50 steers that crossed the highway near the Pepsi plant to get to lush grass on the other side. None of these critters looked both ways (or any way but forward!) as they almost caused mayhem among the traffic. It’s good to remember that we live in a rural setting (even near the metro-area zone) and take precaution.
Open Circle
Armando Garcia-Davila presents “Picked out of the Trash heap,” Sunday, September 1, 10:30 a.m. at Open Circle at the Lake Chapala Society.
“I hope to present of my experiences volunteering at San Quentin State Penitentiary in Marin County, California,” says Garcia-Davila. “I interacted with inmates over three-day retreats. An unexpected takeaway: there are many decent people, some admirable, that are serving sentences from two years to life. I had an interaction with one particular inmate that was life-changing for both of us.”
Garcia-Davila is a retired landscape contractor who lived in Sonoma County, California for 43 years. His passion is writing and has published collections of poetry and short stories, as well as a novel with another close to launching.
US voter assistance
All U.S. citizens: Need help requesting—and returning—your ballots? Beat the September rush! Come to the Lake Chapala Society Monday, September 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The experienced, government-certified Vote From Abroad team can help. Strongly recommended: Requesting your ballot now gives you plenty of time to fix any issues. Questions? 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..
Cooking Club
Members of the Lakeside Cooking Club showcased delicious Mediterranean dishes at the club’s August 21 competition. Geanie Tilley won first place in the taste category for savory dishes with her French bacon cheddar onion quiche. Carol Van Gorp took first place in presentation for her Spanish tapas. Judith Greenberg claimed first place in the taste category for sweet dishes with her French chocolate mousse pie. The first place in presentation for sweet dishes was a tie between Carol Westbrook, for her French tarte Aux Poires à la Bourdaloue, and Judith Greenberg, for her French chocolate mousse pie.
On Wednesday, September 18, the club will feature Mexican dishes in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. The club meets at Cielo Vista Clubhouse in Ajijic at 4 p.m. To attend or for more information, 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..
A special bus field trip and guided tour of Abastos Market and the Fish Market in Guadalajara will take place on Tuesday, September 24. The cost is 600 pesos. To join, email before September 15.
Church fundraiser
Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church hosts a Mexican Fiesta with a buffet catered by Viva Mexico restaurant of San Juan Cosalá on Thursday, September 12, in the church garden. The social hour begins at 1 p.m., followed by the buffet at 2 p.m. This event is a fundraiser, with proceeds going toward roof and electrical repairs at the church.
Important numbers
The Chapala government has introduced a new WhatsApp number to report potholes, abandoned cars and streetlight outages: 331-891-1111.
Chapala’s Municipal Vialidad (Transport Police) also has a new phone number: 376-688-1935, with office hours from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.