Expat Living

Ixtlahuacan fiestas 

Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos’ special activities will extend through the end of the month with the Feria del Membrillo Friday, July 29 to Wednesday, August 3, showcasing products made with the quince, the town’s namesake fruit, and culinary specialties from other municipalities.

Ixtlahuacan fiestas 

Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos continues its festivities of Santo Santiago (St. James) through Monday July 25, including colorful religious processions taking place every evening around 6 p.m., nighttime entertainment and fireworks at the central plaza and round-the-clock street fair booths stocked with food, drink and crafts.

Open Circle

“Think Again . . . Because Thinking Once Might Not Be Enough!” will be the presentation by Phil Rylett at Open Circle, Sunday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) garden.

Open Circle

Karl Homann presents “The History of the English Language – 1,500 Years in 40 Minutes” at the Sunday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. meeting of Open Circle in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). 

Modern English is the third most widely spoken native language after Mandarin and Spanish. It is also a second language for roughly 1.5 million people and is the most common language in the world of trade, commerce and diplomacy. This presentation explores the historical and linguistic events that have influenced modern English during three distinct periods: Old English (450–1150 C.E.); Middle English (1150–1500 C.E.); and Modern English (1500 to the present).

Karl Homann has an M.A. in Linguistics, University of Munich, Germany (1970), a Ph.D. in English, University of Alberta, Edmonton (1972), and taught for 30 years at McEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta. He has resided in Mexico since 2006 and Lakeside since 2008.

For more information on this event or Open Circle, see opencircleajijic.org.

Doggy Fundraiser 

Pizza for the Pooches, a fundraiser for Rene Alvaro Dog Rescuer, will be held Sunday, July 10, 5 p.m. at at Perry’s Pizza. The event includes all you can eat pizza, entertainment by DJ Phil, dancing and raffle prizes. Tickets, at 275 pesos per person, are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s or 331-219-9735.

Lakeside Progressives

A TED Talk is planned for the meeting of the Lakeside Progressives, Tuesday, July 12, 4 p.m. at the Peacock Garden Restaurant on Calle Colon in Ajijic. Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business, will speak on “The moral roots of liberals and conservatives.” Local progressives will also discuss the current status of the presidential campaigns. Members and guests may suggest other topics. 

The Lakeside Progressives is a group of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to problems not being addressed by the major political parties. Most attendees have an early dinner at the restaurant following the meeting. The group’s Facebook page is Lakeside Progressives. Email Chad Olsen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have questions. 

Photography Club

The new Photography Club of Ajijic, aimed at both amateur and professional photographers, meets the second Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Ajijic. The next meeting will be July 12. 

For more information, call Jill at 766-3025 or 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..

E-mail ballots

Democrats Abroad is holding a help session for Lakeside residents who don’t have computer access or are having trouble completing the Federal Post Card Application for a U.S. election ballot, Monday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Chapala Society. 

To complete the application yourself, go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org. Once you have the application finished, deposit it in the ballot box at the LCS for delivery to the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, or take it directly to the Consulate. Questions can be emailed to 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..

Trash or Treasure

Is your closet bursting with clothing you rarely wear? Want to get rid of household appliances and furnishings you no longer want or use? Cruz Roja Chapala welcomes donations of all kinds of items in good condition for a giant jumble sale to be held Saturday, July 30 at the Hole and One complex near Chula Vista. Goods may be dropped off at the Cruz Roja clinic on Avenida González Gallo or Yoly’s Unisex Salon, Plaza Bugambilias, Ajijic. For more information or pick-up requests contact Yolanda Martinez, tel. 766-2260.

Gardening

LCS and the Lake Chapala Garden Club have teamed-up to offer, in English, an eight-week class called “Introduction to Gardening Lakeside” to be taught by Francisco Nava.

The LCS gardens will be used as a living classroom and classes include: effective communication with your gardener; pruning; full sun/shade plants; what blooms when; organic vegetable gardens; and more.

The classes will be held in the LCS Sala Wednesdays, August 3 through September 21, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The class is limited to the first 20 people who register and pay at LCS office. The cost is 550 pesos to the general public. LCS and Garden Club members showing their 2016 membership cards are charged only 500 pesos. A cut-off date to register is July 30.

Buddhists

Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m. at Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha Wednesday, July 13, followed at 4:30 p.m. by a formal meditation period, dharma teachings and discussion. The teaching this week will be part two of a Tricycle Retreat titled “Recognizing the Self” with Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara.

The center is open for hour-long silent meditation periods on Sunday, Monday, from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. 

A “Drop-In” Practice/Study group meets every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.  All are welcome. 

A yoga class suitable for all levels of experience is offered at Heart of Awareness on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. 

The Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian community grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition.  Prior experience or affiliation is not required.  The sangha’s location is Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic. For more information, visit www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.

Trees for the hills

Attention hikers and nature lovers! Salvajes Ajijic athletic club is calling for helpers to assist in a one-day reforestation campaign set for Sunday, July 3.

Open Circle

Three highly accomplished musicians —