09292014Mon
Last updateMon, 29 Sep 2014 12pm
Century 21 Ajijic

Laguna Chapalac – September 27, 2014

Genealogy Forum

The next meeting of the Genealogy Forum will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 29 in the Lake Chapala Society Sala.  Those attending will attempt to obtain additional information on pre-1850 ancestors in the United States via a webinar.

Finding information is a significant problem for those with early American ancestors. The technical difficulties experienced when the group last tried to watch the webinar have now been overcome.

The members will finalize the details for an Open Circle presentation on getting started in genealogy.

Bilingual Toastmasters

Maureen Jones entertained those attending those attending the September 22 English session with her humorous presentation on why English is so hard to learn. Beth McDonald described “The Conversation of the Universe,” and Arch Crane inspired members to walk the Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James.

The next meeting, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday September 29 will feature talks by the Spanish speaking group. The meeting will be in the LCS Sala so attendees should enter through the side gate on Ramon Corona.

For more information in English, contact Guy Jobidon at (376) 766-5181 or Marissa Urrutia for Spanish information at (33) 1600- 5937.

Have Hammers Fall Sale

Have Hammers is a local woodworking program that teaches valuable skills to area young people through woodworking and carpentry.
The group is planning its Annual Fall Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when student-made tables, wine racks, book shelves and other items will be available.

Area residents are reminded that the Have Hammers carpenters can also take orders to build custom made useful furniture. The organization’s shop/classroom is at Carretera 110 in Riberas del Pilar, just west of the 7-11 store. Free sawdust!

British Society

Joyce Noriega Lawrence will share her experience of planning and booking a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok at the Saturday, October 4, 1 p.m. meeting of the Lake Chapala British Society.

To make reservations for the meeting call Alicia at (376) 765-4786 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the menu choice desired. Available for the meeting are two entrees:  barbecued ribs with vegetables or fish and chips. Both entrees are served with a dinner salad or soup and dessert for 120 pesos. Also available is a large salad, also served with dessert for 80 pesos. Dessert this month will be chocolate cake.

The meeting will be held at Manix Restaurant on Ocampo in Ajijic. There is plenty of parking available in the adjacent lot.

‘Inequality for All’ Re-Run

Responding to popular demand, the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico plans to re-run “Inequality for All,” one of the films included in its Sunday Afternoon at the Movies program earlier this year.

The Robert Reich documentary is about the great and growing income gap between the wealthiest members of society and the middle class in the United States, what that means to the country’s economy as well as the future of democratic governance in America, and what can be done to reverse the trend.

The film, open to everyone regardless of political persuasion, will be shown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 at Cinemas Del Lago, Plaza Bugambilias, Ajijic. Admission is 50 pesos, payable at the theater box office.

There will be a post show discussion in the theater and all attendees are invited to take part.

“Inequality for All is not a gloom and doom recitation of dry facts,” says Francis C. Reidelberger, executive chair of the local organization.  “In fact, it is Robert Reich’s warmth, wit and compassion that shines through and made the film so popular with audience members this past spring.”

Reich, Secretary of Labor during the Clinton administration and now a Harvard professor, narrates the film.

Reidelberger said many people who saw “Inequality for All” before have asked to see it again and some who missed it the first time asked if it could be re-run.

“We’re happy to oblige and believe the added attraction of a post show discussion will make the film an even more valuable experience this time,” he said.

U.S. Consulate Information

The U.S. Consulate’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) is planning an informational presentation at American Legion Post 7 in Chapala from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15.

Ways FBU clients can access information and get services without coming to Guadalajara will be the focus of the presentation. Those planning to attend are asked to notify the Legion Adjunct Vince Britton by calling (33) 1358-8944 with questions for the Unit. There will not be time for a question and answer session during or after the meeting.

American Legion Post 7 is at Morelos 114 in Chapala.  

Fashion for Niños

Cugini’s Boutique is planning a showing of casual to dressy fashions on Wednesday, October 29, 3 p.m. The show, featuring the work of textile artist Lynne Gilbank and the award-winning Dunes line of relaxed fashions will benefit the local organization Niños Incapacitados. According to Lois Cugina, the boutique’s owner and organizer of the event, the clothing will be accented by jewelry created by Barbara Miligros, Flo Rhodes and Estela.

Tickets for the event are 150 pesos. With only 130 tickets available, those wishing to attend are urged to call (376) 106 1281, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the boutique at the corner of Morelos and 16 de Septiembre.

Tarahumara Project

The Jeanne W. Chaussee Education Fund thanks all those who donated school supplies and/or cash for the indigenous school in the Copper Canyon in northern Mexico. The trip to deliver the items had a few hitches: a gas tank fuel pump had to be removed and cleaned and filters replaced, while men with shiny guns in armored pickups denied access to the school and state police threatened to confiscate the car – just to name a few.

In spite of all these travails, the 500-plus notebooks, sketch pads, art supplies, reams of paper, pens, pencils, dictionaries, etc. arrived safely at the school and are all accounted for. Not a single pair of scissors or a pipe cleaner went missing.

Libby Townsend, co-founder of the fund, would like to let people know that the Tarahumara Project is collecting items for the giant yard sale held at the end of October, with funds earmarked for the free Tarahumara children’s hospital in the Copper Canyon. This year Townsend is planning a few surprises.

More information will be forthcoming in the next week or two. Anyone with items they would like to donate should call Townsend at 766-1167 (home) or 766-3338 (work) to arrange for pick up. Alternatively, drop off donations at the Guadalajara Reporter office in Plaza Bugambilias, Ajijic, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.

St. Andrew’s Anglican

Because it is so easy to sympathize with the tradition-bound religious leaders who demanded to know what right Jesus had to proclaim a “new” approach to God, Father Winston Welty has made that encounter the inspiration for “What’s so Great About Being the New,” his Sunday, September 28 sermon at St. Andrew’s.

The worship at St. Andrew’s begins at 10 a.m. A time of welcome, fellowship and refreshment follows the service in the garden. The children’s bilingual Sunday School program begins at 9:45 a.m.

Saturday, October 4, is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Andrew’s will hold a ceremonial “Blessing of the Animals” at 11 a.m. in the Garden Columbarium.

St. Andrew’s continues to help feed the poor with the donations of non-perishable food items parishioners leave in the baskets at the doors. The church also supports a school lunch program for needy children in Mezcala.

St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.

Unitarian Universalists

Sue Kelly will lead the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalists in a Flower Communion: a Service of Celebration at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, September 28 at Plaza de la Ribera at Rio Bravo 10A. The flower communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness and community.

Following the service those attending will go to lunch at Viva Mexico in San Juan Cosalá.
Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths and gather around common moral values that include the inherent worth and dignity of every person. They are a caring, liberal, open-minded community that encourages all to seek a personal spiritual path, wherever it leads.

Little Chapel

Mrning worship service at the The Little Chapel by the Lake will begin at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday September 28.

“Like it or not, we are all slaves. We either serve God or we are servants of Satan,” said Rev. Gene Raymer, explaining the theme of this week’s message.

The interdenominational congregation will join with the congregation of Christ Church Lakeside for refreshments in the fellowship hall at 10:45 a.m. The service will be followed by a lunch at La Nueva Posada.

On Wednesday, October 1, the movie “Healed by Grace” will be shown at the church at 4:30 p.m. After winning a dance competition, a young woman plans to compete in the national championship until an auto accident curtails those plans. During her recovery she realizes that the competition was not God’s plan and through His grace her life becomes more meaningful.

The Little Chapel by the Lake is located on the mountain side of the Carretera just east of the golf course in Chula Vista.

Lakeside Presbyterian

In the fourth sermon of his “Return to Narnia” series, Pastor Ross Arnold addresses “Prince Caspian,” the vivid story spun by C.S. Lewis to reveal a vivid story which is actually about the journey of Christian discipleship; of remembering our first, fresh love for Jesus, and the difficult process of restoring faith that may have been lost.

The Narnia Chronicles provide entertaining and fresh insights into the Christian faith from an entirely new angle, replete with innumerable heartwarming passages.

Following the service, the congregation will gather in the garden for refreshments and fellowship.  Lakeside Presbyterian Church is on the Carretera west of S&S Auto. Watch for the sign “You have family at Lakeside!”

Christ Church

Christ Church Lakeside will observe the service of holy communion at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 28 at The Little Chapel by the Lake.  Father Danny Borkowski’s message is titled, “From Where, and Who,” based on Matthew 21:23-32. The congregations of Christ Church Lakeside and The Little Chapel by the Lake share a coffee and fellowship between their respective services from about 10:35 until 11:10 a.m.

Deacon Rob Wells leads the Bible study from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays in the fellowship hall of The Little Chapel. The group is currently discussing the Gospel of Luke.

Some Christ Church will travel to Mazamitla on Saturday, September27, to join La Sagrada Familia mission there as they host an Ultreya, a time of prayer and praise associated with Cursillo.

Christ Church will observe the Blessing of the Animals in front of The Little Chapel by the Lake on Sunday, October 5, 3 p.m., the day after the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Bring your pet, too.

Buddhist Community

The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community meets in Ajijic for meditation and dharma teachings at 4:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Encarnacion Rosas 9.The dharma talk on Wednesday, October 1 will be “The Many Blessings of Mindfulness.”

The First Sunday Long Sit will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, October 5.

Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian Buddhist practice community grounded in the original teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Membership includes those with Zen, Tibetan, and Shambhala backgrounds as well as those with no prior meditation experience. For more information, call Karin Miles at (376) 766-0020.

San Andrés English Mass

Rev. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., has chosen to title his homily “Christ Obedient Unto Death” for the 9 a.m. English Mass on Sunday, September 28 in the Ajijic Parish church.

“We celebrate Christ who obeyed his Father’s will not only in word but also in deed,” says Royston. “And Christ assures us that it is not too late to turn to God.”