Timed to welcome flocks of migratory birds that are winging their way from Canada and the United States for the winter season, the fourth annual Festival de las Aves del Lago de Chapala will take place from Friday, November 22 through December 1, offering a variety of cultural and educational activities at different north shore venues.

The second biennial International Circus Act Festival of Mexico (FiCHo) opens ten straight days of lively activities with a series of events scheduled Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17 at various venues in Chapala and Ajijic. The program continues November 18-24 with all kinds of happenings scheduled in Guadalajara. 

Hardcore shoppers and collectors of Mexican folk art will have a field day at the 12th annual Feria Maestros del Arte, set for next weekend at the sprawling grounds of the Chapala Yacht Club.

It all started in November 2010 with the launch of a weekly soup kitchen that provided free meals to impoverished families living in Chapala’s bleakest neighborhood. In three short years the Tepehua Centro Comunitario has evolved into a vibrant hub of activity where needy children and adults congregate to receive a helping hand in dealing with the full gamut of troubling family issues and most importantly, gain the practical skills and self-respect needed to overcome the oppressive cycle of poverty and despair.

Chapala is all dolled up for the Dia de Muertos holidays with a community-wide display of giant catrina statues spanning the waterfront boardwalks and other central points in Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan and the municipal seat.

The lakeside delegation of the National Chamber of Commerce (CONACO) convened a meeting between federal immigration and tax department officials and the local traffic commander to share perspectives on laws and regulations of special concern to the area’s expatriate community.