Open Circle
Matteo Volpi presents “Senderos (Trails) de Mexico: What We’re Building and Why it Matters” on Sunday, May 31, 10:30 a.m. at Open Circle at the Lake Chapala Society.
This talk may be of interest to anyone who has ever walked the trails above Ajijic and wondered who maintains them, marks them, or plans what comes next. Senderos y Caminos de México is a Jalisco-based nonprofit that has spent over a decade designing, signing, and maintaining hiking trails in partnership with local communities and ejidos. This presentation shares the current state of the trail network in the Sierra de San Juan Cosalá, the plans for its expansion, and the model behind it — one that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and long-term community stewardship over mass tourism. Attendees will gain a clearer picture of the trails in their own backyard, the challenges of keeping them open and safe, and the ways the Lakeside community can be part of what comes next.
Volpi is a geographer and a member of Senderos y Caminos de México A.C., a nonprofit working since 2014 on trail design, signage and maintenance across Jalisco. He is also the founder of Volpi Outdoor Gear, a Guadalajara-based ultralight gear workshop. His experience in the field includes sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail. He holds a degree in Geography and Territorial Planning from the Universidad de Guadalajara.
Memorial Day
American Legion Post 7 officer Randall Butler spoke at the Memorial Day service held at the Chapala cemetery on Monday, May 25.
U.S. Consul General Amy Scanlon attended the ceremony, where wreaths were posted for each of the U.S. armed services.
Easing joint stiffness
• Tired of navigating Lakeside’s cobblestones with stiff ankles or unsteady balance? Then this weekly event, held every Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. in Namaste Village, may be the cure for you. Jay Holman gives low-impact, slow-paced movement classes to strengthen and soothe stiff ankles, knees or hips. Also included are chair Tai Chi and chair yoga-inspired movement. Space is limited to 15. To sign up, call Jay at 250-886-4599. Namaste Village is located at Angel Flores 5 in Ajijic Centro. The cost is a suggested donation of 50-150 pesos.
• Maestro Carlos Sanchez, in collaboration with the Museo Comunitario Tlayacapan, gives classes of Tai Chi, meditation and movement every Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. in the mini-golf area of the Casa Comunal. Sign up at the Museo, open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., or via 331-723-3440, or show up 15 minutes early and sign up with the Maestro’s wife, who speaks some English. The classes are in Spanish.
Cost is 20 pesos.
O Canada!
• ANAVETS Mexico Unit 19 will hold a Canada Day celebration on Wednesday, July 1, 1 p.m. at La Palapa del Guayabo on Chapala’s Malecon. Live music by Gargamel Rock & Roll covers band, a cash bar, deluxe burgers, a liquor basket, 50/50 draw and a door prize are on tap. Cost 400 pesos. For tickets, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or stop into Mama’s Musical Bar on Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• The Canadian Veterans Support Association hosts its annual Canada Day party, July 1, 2 to 5 p.m. at El Pilar Bistro, Carretera 261 in Riberas del Pilar. Music will be by the Crooners Blue Cadillac. On the menu are chicken Marsala, beef Stroganoff or a vegetarian option. Tickets, 400 pesos, are available at El Pilar Bistro or It’s Kinda Bazaar in Riberas del Pilar.
Democrats Abroad
• U.S. Voting assistance is available at the Lake Chapala Society on Mondays in June, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or go to VoteFromAbroad.org.
• Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad holds a Beach Boys Good Vibrations Summer live concert at its Fourth of July Party, Saturday, July 4, 4:30 p.m. in West Ajijic. Enjoy a BBQ dinner and fireworks. Tickets: shorturl.at/gd4AW.
AI Training
Lago Alianza is sponsoring a free 12-week advanced AI online training program in English (Mondays, 4 to 6 p.m.) and Spanish (Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m.) for Lake Chapala non-profits beginning June 15. To register, see facebook.com/lagoalianza.