05272016Fri
Last updateFri, 27 May 2016 1pm

Columns

Laguna Chapalac - April 16, 2016

Rotary of Ajijic

Terry MacDonald, a Rotarian and the managing director of Global Co-operative, gave a presentation on co-operatives at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Ajijic.

MacDonald’s non-profit co-operative provides management coaching, mentorship and training to co-operative leaders around the world. He also published the “Co-operative Enterprise: Building a Better World,” which you can read at www.co-operativeenterprise.coop.

The Rotary Club of Ajijic meets each Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. for a social get-together, followed by a 1 p.m. general meeting and lunch at the Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta, Ajijic.

The Rotary Club of Ajijic is one of the few English-speaking Rotary clubs in Mexico, and has been serving the Lake Chapala area since 2002. Its members are business and professional men and women, many retired, who dedicate their time, expertise, and talents to helping others in our local area. Upcoming speakers are Chapala biologist Christ Grunwald, speaking on “Unlocking the Natural Secrets of Mexico Highlands” on April 12; and Ed Donagher, head coach of the Union of Ajijic Soccer Club on April 19. For more information contact Carol Wolff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (387) 761-0832.

Wine Tasting

The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) invites one and all to a wine tasting event, Saturday April 16, 3 to 5:30 p.m.  Fine wines from Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Spain will be paired with delicious cheeses and appetizers from Roberto’s Restaurant. Tickets for this event, 50 pesos for members and 100 pesos for non-members, are only available at LCS.

Open Circle

Dr. Santiago Hernandez will speak on “Calling Dr. Google” at the Open Circle meeting in the garden of the Lake Chapala Society Sunday, April 17, 10:30 a.m.

Hernandez will explain when and how to use the internet as a tool when it comes to our health. He grew up in Chicago after his family emigrated from Michoacan when he was an infant. He received his B.A. in Spanish and Biology from Indiana University and his medical training at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. He did post-graduate studies in family medicine in the United Sates and has been a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians since 2012. He currently practices in Chapala. 

For more information on Open Circle see opencircleajijic.org.

Buddhists

The film “Brilliant Moon” will be shown at the Heart of Awareness on Monday, April 18, 3 p.m.  The introduction and discussion will be facilitated by David Yett, who lived in Kathmandu for two years, within a stone’s throw of the residence and temple of the film’s subject, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

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 alternating sitting and walking.  

On Wednesdays, Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed at 4:30 by a formal meditation period, dharma teaching and discussion period. April 20th Marty Janowitz will again teach live and in person. Janowitz is a long-time student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. His interests and career include extensive work with sustainable development (community and infrastructure) and corporate social responsibility.  

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

A Yoga class suitable for all levels of experience is being offered at Heart of Awareness on Wednesday from 9 to 11 am.  A donation of 50 pesos is requested for the class.

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 www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.

Neil James Lecture

The last of this season’s Neil James Lectures Series will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the LCS Sala. Dr. Cooper presents “Anesthesia, What You Always Wanted to Know?”  This talk will introduce two different types of anesthesia and provide some insight into the procedures, including patient preparation, risks and complications. Dr. Cooper is British and a trained physician. He practiced for over 30 years in Canada and the Middle East. All LCS members are invited to attend.

Lakeside Freethinkers

Mathematician Henry Laxen (Caltech) will give a presentation on intuition at the Wednesday, April 20 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers. 

Do you trust your intuition? Are there some things you just instinctively know? Or are you a skeptic who needs a “mathematical proof” that something is true? Then attend the April meeting where Laxen’s talk is guaranteed to make you question what you know and what you don’t.  

Additionally, Laxen will quiz the audience. Those who reply with the correct answer will receive ten trillion dollars – please, only one bundle of cash per person. For more information, go to http://nadineloveshenry.com/chapala/ft/index.html.

The Lakeside Freethinkers meet at the La Nueva Posada restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. Dinner and additional discussion usually follow. 

The Lakeside Freethinkers define a “freethinker” as a person who identifies himself or herself as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.

 If you would like to attend, or just obtain additional information, email 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 Bus Trip

The popular Lake Chapala Society bus trip to Galerias Mall in Guadalajara is scheduled Wednesday, April 20. The bus leaves the sculpture at La Floresta promptly at 9:30 a.m. 

Galerias Mall features anchor stores Liverpool, Sears, Best Buy and Sanborns. There are also many specialty stores: The Body Shop, H&M, Gap, C&A, Radio Shack, Mac Store and more. Shoppers can also visit nearby Costco, Sam’s Club and Super Mega.  

Cost for members is 300 pesos and 350 pesos for non-members.

Wing Ding

American Legion Post 7 in Chapala will hold a Wing Ding feast with desserts on Thursday, April 21. 

Cocktails begin at 3 p.m. with chicken wings, and pineapple/raisin coleslaw and choice of desserts available at 4 p.m. The cost is 100 pesos. Live music will be on tap. Contact Peggy Graves with questions and if you’d like to provide a desert, 765-6581.

LCS goes to McAllen

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.

 A $US100 non-refundable deposit (unless the trip is canceled) is due before final day of sign up on April 29. Final payment is due by May 6. 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.

Contact June Cooper 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..