Compost course
A practical course (in Spanish) on how to make garden compost is offered at the Centro Cultural Ajijic on Saturday, August 20.
The aim of the course is to change household habits in separating trash and taking advantage of organic waste.
A talk at the center will be given at 10 a.m., after which participants will practice making compost on the Ajijic malecon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The compost produced will be raffled off at the end. A fee of 150 pesos will be charged for the course.
Open Circle
Barbara Hildt will present “Keys for Creating Caring Communities” at Open Circle on Sunday, August 21, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
Hildt will share the most important things she has learned doing community organizing and youth development work. She will also discuss ways to create conditions of mutual respect and cooperation within diverse groups and communities so that people of all ages, beliefs and backgrounds feel they belong and are appreciated.
Promoting peace has always been Hildt’s principal motivation. As a young mother prompted by fear, she become an organizer of the Nuclear Freeze movement calling for a halt to the nuclear arms race. She was soon persuaded to enter politics. After five terms in the Massachusetts legislature (1983-93), Hildt focused on promoting peace by creating programs aimed at preventing interpersonal violence. With her Mexican colleague, Livier Ayon, Hildt has facilitated workshops for several Lakeside schools and organizations. Currently she serves on the board of the Lake Chapala Society and chairs their Community Committee.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Body Building
Lakeside’s Zona Fitness Gym is hosting the Jalisco Body Building Competition Sunday, August 21, at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
Competitors of both sexes will range from the very young to those in their golden years. Male contestants will flex their muscles in the categories of Regional Beginners, Open Beginners, Novices, Men’s Physique, Classified, Veterans age 45-55, and Veteran’s age 55-plus. Women will strut their stuff in the Bikini categories.
The event begins at noon with an exhibition of Danza Azteca. A banda de guerra (military band) entertains until the competition starts at 1 p.m., Mariachis will play during an intermission and the body building finals will finish around 5 p.m.
Booths set up outside the auditorium will be selling supplements, athletic clothes and food and drink.
Tickets at 120 pesos are available at Zona Fitness Gym, at Hidalgo 86 in Riberas del Pilar and on the day of the event at the Auditorio.
Bird watcher excursion
The Chapala Birders group has scheduled a nature walk for two outings for Monday August 22, 8:30 a.m., along the shoreline near the Chapala aqueduct pumping station situated east of Santa Cruz de la Soledad. The event will be followed by breakfast at Delicias in Chapala.
The excursion is open to all those interested in bird watching, novice and experienced. Knowledgeable birders join in to help identify the species. Just show up with binoculars and cash to cover incidental expenses for gas. For transportation arrangements and further information, contact John in advance at 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..
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha meets weekly on Wednesdays. Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed at 4:30 p.m. by a formal meditation period, dharma teachings and discussion. This week, on August 17, the teaching will be part four of a video retreat titled “Active Engagement,” led by Larry Rosenberg.
Saturday, August 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Heart of Awareness community will offer Part two of an Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Practice. The course will be taught by Kevin Knox, a long-time meditator.
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. A donation of 50 pesos is requested for the class.
The Center is open for hour-long silent meditation periods Sunday and Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. A “Drop-In” Practice/Study group meets Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome.
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 at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic.
For more information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.
Fun with music
If you like to sing, join Belva Velazquez for a “Fun with Music” singalong at La Valentina Care Center, Wednesday, August 24. The repertoire includes songs from the 1940s to the 70s, what Velazquez considers “Old Americana” tunes. The group meets at the Little Chapel by the Lake at 4 p.m., to be at La Valentina’s at 4:30 p.m. Contact Velazquez at 766-0162 for more information.
Crime reporting
You can formally report a crime with the Ministerio Publico (district attorney’s office) at the Lake Chapala Society, Wednesday, August 24, 10 a.m. A bilingual officer will be present to provide legal advice regarding your complaint.
If a crime goes unreported, officially it didn’t happen. Be part of the solution and report all crimes.
You must show up early as the officials will leave if no one is waiting.
San Antonio Expats
The next monthly meeting of the San Antonio Expats will be August 27, 6 p.m. at Cenaduria Elvira, Ramon Corona 127 in San Antonio. For more information, contact 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..
Fundraiser
Niños de Chapala and Ajijic (NCA) holds their fourth annual Celebration of Mexico fundraiser August 27, from 5 to 10 p.m.
The menu will feature conchinita pibil, handmade tortillas, refried beans, bread, a gourmet salad, and an enticing dessert, all prepared by NCA board member Dr. Antonio Pinto.
A cash bar will offer NCA President Doug Friend’s special recipe margaritas.
This event is dedicated to the memory of Pat Moir and Domenic Valenti, who both recently passed away. NCA will also set up a special fund for a promising student’s education in the pair’s names. All the proceeds of this event will go toward that fund.
Tickets for the event — 250 pesos — are almost sold out. Call Friend at (331) 069-0084 if you wish to attend.
Ajijic Book Club
The inaugural meeting of the Ajijic Book Club (ABC) will be held at La Nueva Posada on Tuesday, August 30, 4 p.m. The ABC focuses exclusively on nonfiction books and promotes civil discussion amongst its members, even when ideas conflict. ABC will provide both online and in person opportunities for participation by members. Everyone with interest is welcome.
Currently featured on the ABC website is a review of a book written by local Lakeside resident Jack Prins, “One Step Ahead,” the fascinating story of his childhood in Holland during WWII.
ABC is being organized by Initiating Member John Stokdijk. More information is available see http://computerguyajijic.com/abc/FAQ.pdf.
Legion Labor Day fest
American Legion Post Seven will hold a Labor Day feast Monday, September 5, beginning with a social hour at 2 p.m. and a BBQ ribs dinner at 3 p.m. Also on the menu: corn on the cob, broccoli salad and cheese cake. Cost: 200 pesos. Local guitar virtuoso Daniel Cordero will entertain.
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) has announced the start of its next term of Spanish language classes for members. Classes will run Monday, September 5 through October 26.
Classes meet two days a week for an hour and a half each session at the Wilkes Education Center (Biblioteca) in Ajijic.
The LCS Spanish program uses the Warren Hardy Spanish-language course with several levels of instruction, which is designed for the adult student. Registration for upcoming classes is underway at the LCS office or online. The program manager will be available to answer questions and take registrations Monday, August 29 through Friday, September 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LCS campus on the blue umbrella patio.
Introduction to Spanish language classes for LCS members covering the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases begin the first Tuesday of the month and continue for three weeks. September classes start on September 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
For more information on either class, visit www.lakechapalasociety.com or call (376) 766-1140.
Thriller
Rehearsals for this fall’s Thriller/Zombie presentation in the Ajijic Plaza start Saturday, September 10 at Club Exotica at the back of El Jardin Restaurant on the Ajijic Plaza. Several thousand spectators are expected for the show featuring about 100 zombies to be held Saturday, October 29, 5 p.m.