The New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim in Mexico’s largest lake was deemed a rousing success, bringing in a hefty chunk of change to fund vital medical services at Cruz Roja Chapala.

Householders from Ajijic’s west-end Barrio de Guadalupe will get 2013 off to a rip-roaring start with an offbeat New Year’s Day parade that’s bound to rouse high spirits as it generates bonds and friendship in the community.

All Dutch citizens, Dutch-speaking people and fans of the Netherlands are invited to a New Year’s reception – with oliebollen – on Friday, January 4, 4-6 p.m. at Baya Bistro owned by “Canadian” countryman Bert Klein.

With the holiday season coming to a peak over the next few days, the parish churches of Chapala and Ajijic will capture the true meaning of Christmas by staging live nativity scenes at their doorsteps.

Fiesty female boxing champ Irma “La Guerita” Sanchez proved to be a knockout among Chapala area sports enthusiasts during her special guest appearance Sunday, December 16 at the kick off for a local futbol rapido tournament.

Two residences in the Ajijic area have been hit in daring daylight home invasions apparently carried out by the same gang of thieves.