04272016Wed
Last updateFri, 22 Apr 2016 9am

Laguna Chapalac - April 22, 2016

Open Circle

“Saving the Brain,” is the topic of the next Open Circle meeting, Sunday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. in the garden at the Lake Chapala Society.

Beatriz Gallagher, CNS, PhD (Certified Nutrition Specialist and Doctor in Integrative Medicine and Clinical Nutrition) will be the speaker.

The brain is the most advanced organ in our body. What we eat, breathe, think, and do profoundly influence how it works, our level of intelligence, and how long it can function optimally. We develop cognitive skills throughout our lives and even late in life can unlock further potential through proper nutrition, mental exercises and biofeedback. Dr. Gallagher will tell us what promotes optimal function, what nutrients keep it healthy, and strategies to sharpen memory and recover some lost abilities.

Dr. Gallagher received a BS from the University of Connecticut, an MS in Human Nutrition from the University of New Haven, a Diplomat in Chinese Medicine and a PhD in Integrative Medicine at Capital University of Integrative Medicine in Washington DC. In over thirty years of practice, she has continued studying diverse aspects of clinical nutrition. 

For more information see opencircleajijic.org.

LCS Singles

The Lake Chapala Society Singles are holding a mixer, Sunday, April 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Le Bistro Restaurant at Ocampo 71 in Ajijic. Drink specials are 30 pesos per glass of house wine, 40 pesos for Margaritas, mojitas, and a special drink, the Blue Velvet cocktail. A dinner special of Capri salad, hot pasta plate and dessert is priced at 110 pesos. Other dinner options are available from the regular menu. Music will be provided by the Casas Trio. For more information e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Buddhists

The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha offers meditation opportunities several times each week. Sunday and Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon, there is a silent meditation period with alternating sitting and walking meditation.  

On Wednesdays, Noble Silence begins at 4:00, followed at 4:30 by a formal meditation period, dharma teaching and discussion period.

Wednesday, April 27 the teaching will be from an essay by Ezra Bayda, called “Breaking Through.” Bayda is an author and teacher who has been practicing meditation since 1970. He currently teaches at Zen Center San Diego. His writing instructs and informs about how to recognize and overcome three universal obstacles to (meditation) practice. Janet Reichert will present the reading and facilitate the discussion period.

A “Drop in” Practice/Study group meets every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.  

There will not be a yoga class April 27, but classes will resume the following week.

The Sangha’s location is at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. The activities listed are open to anyone with an interest. The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha is grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior meditation experience or affiliation is not required. For further information on the Sangha, its location and scheduled activities, visit the website,www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (376)766-6069.

Genealogy Forum

The next meeting of the Genealogy Forum is Monday, April 25, 1 p.m. at their new location at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon church), located in Riberas del Pilar on the carretera, diagonally across the street from Mom’s Deli. At this meeting we will present an overview of the most popular public genealogy trees online: Ancestry, Find my Past, Family Search and My Heritage. We will briefly look at each site and discuss their advantages and disadvantages, costs & accessibility, how to add information, and how to add photos and documents. We will also discuss our plans for the coming year. The Genealogy Forum is open to all, beginners and experienced alike. There are no fees or dues.

Lakeside Singers

Join the Lakeside Singers, Wednesday, April 27  4:30 p.m. for a sing-a-long at retirement home Casa Nostra, Santa Margarita 8, in Riberas del Pilar. All are welcome to raise their voices and join in the fun. After the sing-a-long (about 6 p.m.), the group will stop for pizza at Pizzeria Toscana, Hidalgo 75 (on the carretera) in Riberas del Pilar, tel: 765-6996.

LCS Spanish classes

Lake Chapala Society (LCS), Ajijic, announces the start of their next term of Spanish language classes for LCS members. Classes will begin on Monday, May 9 and continue through June 24. 

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 which is designed for adult students. Several levels of instruction are available as students progress in the program. Registration for the upcoming classes is underway at the LCS office or on line. The program manager will be available to answer questions and take registrations every day during the week of May 2 to May 6, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at LCS on the blue umbrella patio. The tuition for the course is 750 pesos. The course textbook is an additional 570 pesos, and other instructional materials may also be separately purchased. For more information about the Spanish classes or LCS membership, visit the LCS website www.lakechapalasociety.com or call the Spanish Program Coordinator Vivian Sternfield at (376) 766-1140.

Intro to Spanish classes

Lake Chapala Society (LCS) also will begin Introduction to Spanish language classes for LCS 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 on Tuesday, May 3 and will be held at the LCS campus from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learning materials are provided, and the tuition for the classes is 175 pesos. Sign up is available at the LCS office during regular office hours, Monday through Saturday, or you can sign up on line at www.lakechapalasociety.com.

Rotary Club Ajijic

The Tenth Annual 5 de Mayo Fiesta fund-raiser for the Rotary Club Ajijic community projects is Thursday, May 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at La Hotel Nueva Posada. Tickets are 400 pesos and include dinner with “Tour of Mexico” cuisine and music. A cash bar is available and a silent auction will be held. Tickets are available from Diane Pearl, Yoly’s, Rotary Members and La Nueva Posada.

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The Ranch

Lakeside Spay & Neuter (The Ranch) holds a Cinco de Mayo fund-raiser Thursday, May 5 at La Bodega Restaurante and Bar, 16 de septiembre #124 in Ajijic. The fun and music begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are 200 pesos per person. Spaces are going fast and reservations are recommended. Call (376)766-1002 for more information.

American Legion

American Legion Post 7  is celebrating Mothers’ Day, May 8. A social hour begins 3 p.m. and the pork rib dinner at 4 p.m. with live music. Cost is 200 pesos; 100 to members that are mothers. Tickets are available at the Legion, #114 Morelos Chapala.

LCS bus trips

The Lake Chapala Society sponsors a bus trip to the two craft towns Tonala and Tlaquepaque, Wednesday, May 4. Shop in Tonala for home decor and handicrafts; and in Tlaquepaque, find upscale retailers and fine-dining in a historical architecturally significant pedestrian-only zone. Cost is 300 pesos for members and 350 pesos for non-members. The bus departs promptly at 9 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta.

If you need a Texas or U.S. fix, the Lake Chapala Society is offering a trip to McAllen, Texas from Sunday, May 22 to Thursday, May 26. The trip includes three full days in McAllen, a four-night stay at a Hampton Inn, including continental breakfast. The price for LCS members is $US600 double/share or $US750 single. Non-LCS members must add $US50 to those prices. Final day of sign up is April 29. A minimum of 30 persons are required to run the trip.

U.S. and Canadian citizens need valid passports, citizens from other countries need valid passports with valid U.S. visa.

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CASA

The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic held its most recent meeting and competition April 18 at La Mision Restaurant. The two categories that chefs competed in were: French main dish and cakes, tortes or cheese. 

Monica Molloy won first place in the main dish category for her beef Wellington with chicken foie gras, demi-glace Marsella sauce. Michele Lococo won second place and People’s Choice for her escargot stuffed chicken with a soubise sauce; Patrick Waite was awarded third place for his French cabbage soup  and Sally Myers won the Presentation award for her fruits de la mer Nicoise.

Paulette Coburn won first place in the desserts category for her chocolate caramel pecan torte;

Second Place was tied by Keith Sofka for his apple-caramel-nut cheesecake and Lydia Cortes for her guava glory. Margaret Ancira’s Lady Baltimore cake won third place. The Presentation award was taken by Catherine Suter for her spiced caramel cake with pistachio & rosewater cream

A three-way tie for the People’s Choice award was given to Catherine Suter (see above), Allison Quattrocchi for her magic chocolate flan cake and Mary Ann Waite for her white chocolate Snickers cheesecake.

The next meeting of CASA is May 16 and the categories are: pates, terrines or spreads and yeast breads, buns or crackers. 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.. 

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