For paws
Anita’s Animals in the Raquet Club is holding a fundraiser plant sale Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ask for directions at the entrance.
You might just find a dog or cat you want to take home.
On the same day in Ajijic, “The Ranch” dog shelter holds an adoption event on the highway across from Salvador’s Restaurant.
Fiestas Patrias
Want to continue with that Mexican fiesta spirit? The Avocado Club located at the Rose Bowl Mall in San Antonio is throwing a different kind of Independence bash Saturday, September 17, with a live Mexican jazz band and an upscale fusion menu from 5 p.m. Reservations required at 766-7000.
Open Circle
Paula Haarvei and Kate Derry will present “El Camino de Santiago de Compostela” at Open Circle on Sunday, September 18, 10:30 a.m. in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society.
Why would someone pushing 70 make the conscious decision to trudge an average of 18 miles a day through rugged, unknown terrain? What could be the appeal in hiking up and down endless hills for more than a month with all your belongings strapped to your back? And at the close of each exhausting day, where’s the reward in sleeping in a bunkbed in a room with 20 strangers vying for the only bathroom?
Canadian expat Kate Derry did just that – not once but three times – on the French Route of El Camino. Paula Haarvei, an expat from the United States, took the proverbial road less travelled by trekking the North Way. Both will describe their experiences and speak about the important things they learned on this journey of a lifetime.
For more information, see opencircleajijic.org.
Voter Registration
Democrats Abroad will be at the Lake Chapala Society to assist U.S. citizens with applications for absentee ballots Monday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. This service is open to the public, regardless of LCS membership status. Completed absentee ballot requests can be left with the LCS and will be given to the U.S. consular officials on a weekly basis. Contact Larry Pihl at (331) 704-6475 for more details.
Eat healthy
Lakeside Plant-Based Food Group is sponsoring two U.S. documentary films at the LCS Sala this month. “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” plays Wednesday September 20, 2 p.m. In it, Joe Cross examines how to make healthy habits last. “Food Inc.,” an unflattering look inside America’s corporate controlled food industry, is on for September 28, same time.
Ajijic Book Club
The Ajijic Book Club (ABC) will meet at La Nueva Posada on Tuesday, September 20, 4 p.m. The club focuses exclusively on nonfiction books and promotes civil discussion among its members even when ideas conflict. ABC will provide both online and in-person opportunities for participation by members. Everyone with interest is welcome.
The focus of the September meeting will be on a book written by Lakeside resident Jack Prins, “One Step Ahead,” the fascinating story of his childhood in Holland during World War II. A review of the book is available on the ABC website. The author himself will be in attendance at the meeting.
ABC is being organized by John Stokdijk. More information at http://computerguyajijic.com/abc/FAQ.pdf.
La Ola Benefit
Wednesday, September 21, Adelita’s Bar & Grill hosts an evening of dinner and dancing to benefit La Ola Children’s Home beginning 5 p.m. The Ajijic Jamm Band will perform, as will some of the children. There will be a live auction and dinner specials are offered on three items: A cover charge of 50 pesos will go directly to La Ola.
Buddhists
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha meets weekly on Wednesdays. Noble Silence begins at 3:30 p.m. followed at 4 p.m. by a formal meditation period, dharma teachings and discussion. During September the teachings are from a four-part video Tricycle Retreat titled “Real Happiness” with Sharon Salzburg. Part 3, on September 21, is about “Mindfulness and Emotions.”
The Monday, September 19 dharma movie matinee, “Daughters of Everest,” will be shown at 3 p.m. A potluck will follow the movie.
The center is open for hour-long silent meditation periods on Sunday and Monday, from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.
A gentle 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.
The Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian community grounded in the teachings of the Buddha. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. The sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For further information, visit heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (331) 043-4669.
LCS Bus Trips
Shoppers unite Thursday, September 22 for a trip to Galerias Mall in Guadalajara. The mall features anchor stores Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy and Sanborns. There are also many specialty stores such as Gap, C&A, Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Radio Shack, Mac Store, H&M and more. Shoppers can visit nearby Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Super Mega. Restaurants include PF Chang, Cheesecake Factory and McCarthy’s Irish Pub. There is also an IMAX theater and casino.
The Lake Chapala Society sponsored bus departs promptly 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. All reservations must be made by the Saturday prior to the excursion. Cost: 300 pesos for LCS members and 350 pesos for non-members. Tickets are on sale at LCS service desk.
Health Presentation
“Suspect Stroke? Go Fast,” is a lecture to be given by neurosurgeons Dr. Gabriel Varela and Dr. Ernesto Ledesma, Friday, September 23, 2 p.m. in the LCS Sala. Appropriate life-saving actions to take when a stroke is suspected will be discussed by the doctors as well as heart care strategies.
Get well soon!
Fr. Winston Welty, who recently retired as the officiating priest at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, was discharged from hospital in Philadelphia after a bout with a pulmonary embolism and a deep-vein thrombosis in a leg.
Cooking classes
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) is preparing for its next series of cooking classes following the recent success of Marie-Lyse Jacobsmuhlen’s tutorials on Sri Lankan cuisine.
This time, chef/owner Oscar Perez Navarrate Solis from local eatery El Jardin de Ninette will share different takes on Mexican classics. The menu will feature huitlacoche tart, chiles en nogada, chicken with black mole and crème brulee. 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..
More paws
Operacion Amor invites you to support its spaying/neutering program for pet owners of limited means in the greater Chapala area.
The fundraiser at Yves’ Restaurant on Friday, September 30, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A contribution of 200 pesos pays for one surgery and entitles the person to a commemorative T-shirt and an opportunity to win a deluxe gift certificate from Gloriosa hair salon and day spa. Champagne will be available, courtesy of Yves, for an additional discretionary contribution. For more information, contact Cameron Peters 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..
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society has announced its next round of Introduction to Spanish language classes for members. This is a casual class offered for the beginner that covers the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases to use about town for shopping, and other useful information about our area and Mexican culture.
Classes are held each month starting the first Tuesday of the month and continue for three weeks. Classes start Tuesday, October 4 and will be held at the LCS campus from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Sign up is available at the LCS office during regular office hours or via www.lakechapalasociety.com.