Open Circle
“Think Again . . . Because Thinking Once Might Not Be Enough!” will be the presentation by Phil Rylett at Open Circle, Sunday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) garden.
Want to be successful? Then study failure. Our great admiration for the successful makes us believe we can learn much from them. Unfortunately, a flaw in how we think, called “the survivorship bias,” makes us disregard their failures. Using examples, Rylett will reveal the consequences of ignoring this bias.
Born in England, Rylett earned a degree in pharmacology from the University of Leeds. After an unhappy few years working for the pharmaceutical industry, he returned to school and earned a nursing degree. He moved to California, and after a disillusioning stint working for the U.S. healthcare system, he returned to school and came out a computer programmer, never to be disenchanted again. Rylett finished his working career developing a breast and cervical cancer screening program for uninsured women in California. He now lives in Ajijic full time.
For more information on this presentation or Open Circle, see opencircleajijic.org.
E-mail ballots
Democrats Abroad is holding a help session for Lakeside residents who don’t have computer access or are having trouble completing the Federal Post Card Application for a U.S. election ballot, Monday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Chapala Society.
To complete the application yourself, go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org. Once you have the application finished, deposit it in the ballot box at the LCS for delivery to the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, or take it directly to the Consulate. Questions can be emailed to 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..
Lakeside Freethinkers
Questions of good and evil, right and wrong are commonly thought unanswerable by science. But Sam Harris, neuroscientist and philosopher, argues that science can — and should — be an authority on moral issues and shaping human values. At the Wednesday, July 20 meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers Harris will argue via a TED Talk that “Science Can Answer Moral Questions.” This should provoke a lively discussion.
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 group defines a “freethinker” as a person who 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..
Pet Food Drive
A cat and dog food drive by the Lakeside Friends of Animals will take place Thursday, July 21, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LFA cat shelter and pet food store at Hidalgo 212 (Carretera) in Riberas del Pilar.
Those unable to attend the drive on this day can make a pet food donation anytime at their favorite animal shelter.
At the time of purchase, inform the store clerk that the cat/dog food is being donated to your favorite animal rescue organization and the store will hold your donated purchase for pickup. After you have made your purchase, contact your designated rescue group to inform them that the donation is ready to pick it up.
For more information, call (376) 765-5544 or 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..
Lakeside Singles
The Lakeside Singles is sponsoring a cocktail mixer in the garden at La Nueva Posada on Thursday, July 21, 4-6 p.m. Drinks will be 2x1 for Mexican alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, etc.). Come celebrate with old friends or meet new ones.
Those planning to attend should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the number of people in their party.
LCS bus trip
On Thursday, July 21 the LCS bus heads out to the Galerias Mall in Zapopan. Major retailers include Sam’s, Super Walmart, Best Buy, Sears, Liverpool, C&A and restaurants Cheesecake Factory, Applebee’s, PF Chang and more. Costco is just across the road.
The bus departs promptly at 9:30 a.m. from the sculpture in La Floresta. The cost for this trip is 300 pesos for members and 350 pesos for non-members.
Children’s art sale
The LCS summer art camp for children finishes with a sale of their work, Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gazebo. Admission is free. The children receive the large portion of sale proceeds and the rest is used to purchase art supplies for the 62-year-old LCS children’s art program.
Buddhists
Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m. at Heart of Awareness Buddhist Sangha Wednesday, July 20, followed at 4:30 p.m. by a formal meditation period, dharma teachings and discussion. The teaching this week will be part one of a Tricycle Retreat titled “Recognizing the Self” with Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara.
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.
The Dharma Movie Matinee, Monday, July 18, 3 p.m. is “On Meditation,” portraits of ten people who have integrated meditation into their lives.
A “Drop-In” Practice/Study group meets every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome.
A 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 for the class.
For more information, visit www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.
Orphanage benefit
A BBQ pork picnic fundraiser/open house for the new home of La Ola Casa Hogar Orphanage will be held Sunday, July 24, noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Hotel Perico on the Libramiento.
Activities include live music, a live and silent auction and a tour of the future six-bedroom dormitory for the girls of La Ola on the property that is adjacent to Hotel Perico. Delicious food and drinks will be available with all proceeds going to the La Ola Casa Hogar construction fund. Tickets, 200 pesos, are available on the day of the event. Call Tina Leonard, 331-439-5412 for more information.
Ixtlahuacan globo fest
Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos invites the public to its first annual Festival de Globos de Cantoya (paper balloons) Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31, beginning midday at the town’s municipal field. Apart from the balloon spectacle, there will be music, dancing, food, arts and craft sales. The state of Michoacan is the guest of honor at the event. The venue is about a half-block off the highway on Calle Ramon Corona, 500 meters north of the main entrance to town on the mountain side.
Trash or Treasure
Is your closet bursting with clothing you rarely wear? Want to get rid of household appliances and furnishings you no longer want or use? Cruz Roja Chapala welcomes donations of all kinds of items in good condition for a giant jumble sale to be held Saturday, July 30 at the Hole and One complex near Chula Vista.
Goods may be dropped off at the Cruz Roja clinic on Avenida González Gallo, Chapala, or Yoly’s Unisex Salon, Plaza Bugambilias, Ajijic. For more information or pick-up requests, contact Yolanda Martinez, 766-2260.
LCS Spanish classes
The Lake Chapala Society begins its next round of Introduction to Spanish language classes for members Tuesday, August 2. This is a casual class offered for the beginner that covers the Spanish alphabet, simple vocabulary and phrases for shopping, and other useful information about the area and Mexican culture. Classes are held at the LCS campus from noon to 1:30 p.m. each month starting the second Tuesday of the month and continue for three weeks. Learning materials are provided. Sign up is available at the LCS office during regular office hours, Monday to Saturday. Or you can sign up at www.lakechapalasociety.com. LCS is located at 16 de Septiembre 16-A, in Ajijic. Tel. (376) 766-1140.
Firefighting equipment
The Lakeside Assistance Group A.C., was formed from several area charities to facilitate the shipping, storage and distribution of firefighting, lifesaving and hospital equipment from Canada. The supplies are designated for local municipal firefighting crews, hospitals and clinics. A fundraiser to support these efforts will be held at La Bodega Restaurant Tuesday, August 2, 6-10 p.m., hosted by Javier and Martha González. Music will be provided by the Great American Songbook, featuring Paul Brier on vocals, piano and bass keyboards and Francis Dryden on drums. A 50/50 draw and a silent auction is also planned. Tickets are 300 pesos and include dinner (chicken with veggies and potatoes). Drinks, dessert and tips are not included (La Bodega will donate 20 percent of sales on drinks and desserts to the association).
Tickets be purchased at the fire station on the Libramiento, from John Kelly at (331) 758-0676, or from any member of the Lakeside Assistance Group. Reservations can also be made at La Bodega, 766-1002.