Tuesday, January 10, the Lakeside USA Tea Party held a straw poll on the six current Republican presidential candidates and the problems facing the United States. According to Tea Party President Karen Cage, this is not an endorsement but rather a snapshot of the current thinking of expats living at Lakeside.

Chapala area State Transportation Department (SVT) chief Juan Carlos Borrayo has issued an advisory concerning the paperwork that officers under his command may request from motorists who drive foreign plated vehicles.

The Jalisco Health Department (Secretaria de Salud) has reacted quickly to the first case of canine rabies in five years in the state, sending personnel into lakeside neighborhoods to check on the health of residents and their animals.

The fiestas patronales kicked off on the evening of January 2, with a procession to the parish church led by civil authorities and leaders of sponsoring trade guilds, continuing inside with the annual renewal of a pledge of faith to the Lord of the Mount.

Opponents of the proposed second Chapala-Guadalajara water pipeline will share their perspectives on the project with English speaking residents at an information session scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 4 p.m., on the grounds of the Lake Chapala Society, Calle 16 de Septiembre 16-A. All interested persons are welcome to attend.

The Lakeside Tea Party is holding an “old-fashioned political rally” at its next meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 4 p.m. at Sunrise Café in Riberas del Pilar.