Guadalajara Reporter

Convertibles for Cookoff

Aurora Michel is in charge of the Chili Cookoff 2010 parade and is putting out the call for owners of convertibles or special cars who want to show off their rigs. The vehicles will transport beauty queens along the parade route. Michel needs 12 cars for the morning of Saturday, February 27. Contact her at Actinver at 766-3111 or 766-3112.

The Ajijic Chili Cookoff is one of Lakeside’s most important events and supports many local charities. The 32nd edition will be held on February 26, 27 and 28 at Tobolandia in Ajijic.

Get acquainted

The Guadalajara/Lakeside Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is holding a “Get to Know Your DAR” tea on Thursday, January 28, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra 9 in Ajijic. The event will feature all the expected accoutrement of a tea, with finger sandwiches and goodies, along with information about the DAR, a women’s organization for the descendants of individuals who aided in achieving American independence. All interested parties are invited. For questions or to make reservations, contact Snookie Heim at (376) 765-5909.

Democrats

The meeting of Democrats Abroad-Chapala Chapter on Monday, January 18, 4 p.m. at La Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra 9 in Ajijic will feature an update on the Congressional debate of President Obama’s plan to upgrade healthcare in the United States. Also on the agenda is a two-pronged discussion of how to help U.S. Democratic candidates with donations and participation in mid-term elections.

Yoga

Koran Kordisch, yoga teacher and therapist, is back in town and will be offering a free one-hour yoga class, “Yoga Basics,” in the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) gazebo, Fridays at 10 a.m. beginning on January 22. The class will focus on correcting alignment, improving breathing, learning relaxation techniques and reducing pain. The class is open to beginners and continuing students. Please bring a mat and a blanket or thick towel.

Kordisch has been teaching yoga for 15 years and has advanced teacher certification through integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT), where she serves as a mentor to teachers-in-training in the IYT home study program. She is also certified in cardiac yoga with Nischala Devi.

Raffles

The results of the holiday raffles sponsored by Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic (NCA) are as follows: Ken Gosh won a 300-peso gift certificate from Los Telares. The winning ticket was drawn by Juan Daniel Calixta Garcia of Ajijic.

Winners of the three 200-peso dinners donated by Herb Hazen, owner of Ole!Ola! Restaurant, were Ruth Davis of San Antonio, Gary Lemons of Nueva Chapala and Ross Brownridge.

Arnie Mogseth won a dinner for two at Tony’s Restaurant and Barm and Ray Wood won the Oaxaca pottery base and table arrangement.

The raffles will continue in 2010 with items donated by local galleries and artisans. Stop by the NCA table in front of Salavdor’s Restaurant on Wednesdays and buy your tickets for the next round of raffles.

Friends tours

The Friends of the Villa (the Villa Infantil Nuestra Señora Guadalupe y San Jose children’s shelter) have organized a tour of two homes in Ajijic that have had interesting solar systems installed. The owners will explain their solar units, point out the benefits and drawbacks, and discuss costs and energy bills. The event is set for February 4. The tickets for 150 pesos each can be purchased at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by contacting Gordon Schroeder at (387) 761-0829. Proceeds will go to Villa Infantil.

Loving Mexico

Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago celebrates the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence on Thursday, February 18 with an exciting evening of dining, dancing, tequila tasting and live and silent auctions beginning at 6 p.m.

The romantic setting of the Hotel Real de Chapala in Ajijic will be ablaze with lights and all the colors of Mexico. Rob Parker will host the evening, with Larry King acting as auctioneer. Guests can bid for fabulous meals, trips and a week’s stay in a brand new apartment in Sayulita in the live auction. The silent auction has something for everyone, including beauty treatments, meals, a stay in a lovely old Guanajuato B&B, paintings, cakes and much more. The dress for the evening is formal to smart-casual.

Tickets are 450 pesos each and are available at LCS from January 18 to February 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tables for eight or ten or seats at an open table can be reserved at LCS or by calling Jane Hainsworth at 766-1937.

All proceeds from the “We Love Mexico “ event go to pay medical expenses for the children of Niños Incapacitados.

Valentine

The Ladies Auxiliary Unit Seven is sponsoring a wonderful Valentine’s Dinner and Dance on Saturday, February 13 at their home at Morelos 114 in Chapala. Cocktails begin at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

The menu will be pork loin with wine and caper sauce, twice-baked potatoes, salad, vegetable and bread with dessert for only 130 pesos each. Carafes of red or white wine will be available for 85 pesos. Tables of eight or more with prepaid tickets may be reserved by contacting Barbara Prince at 765-3418.

Ron Baker and Amy will be providing the music for listening and dancing pleasure.

Tickets are on sale now and you should purchase them as soon as possible as they are limited and no tickets will be sold at the door.

Single people don’t need to feel left out. There will be a table (or tables) for singles to meet others.

Join the auxiliary for a great Valentine’s Day.

Learning

The second LCS Learning Seminar of 2010 will be held on Tuesday, January 19, noon in the LCS Sala. Fred Harland will be the chairperson. His guest speaker (via an Internet podcast) will be “rock star physicist” Professor Brian Cox, a Fellow of the Royal Society. He discusses the biggest of big science in an engaging, accessible way. He’ll take us on a tour of the large Hadron Collider, upon which he worked, and dispel any doubts as to its safety or usefulness.

All LCS members are invited to come to see and hear this presentation and participate in the discussion that follows.

Unitarians

The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will be holding its annual meeting on Sunday, January 17, beginning at 10 a.m. (note different starting time) at the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation Center, Santa Margarita 113 in Riberas del Pilar. There will be a short service titled “The Challenge of Democracy.”

Shrine dining

The next Dine with the Shrine will be on Thursday, January 28 at Hacienda Ajijic Steak Place on the west end of Ajijic at Carretera 268. Details are being finalized with the restaurant director general Jorge Ancona Noriega. Watch this column and posted signs for details.

Funds donated by the participating Dine with the Shrine restaurants go to the Shrine Club’s Transportation and Treatment Fund to take care of Lakeside children requiring medical care at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Mexico City. The community’s continuing support for this program is greatly appreciated and the Shriners look forward to seeing you on the 28th.

Deaf School

The Lakeside School for the Deaf will hold its annual general meeting on Friday, February 19, 10:30 a.m. at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic.

On the agenda will be the approval of the 2009 minutes, the treasurer’s report, the 2010 budget, the president’s report, the election of 2010 officers, old business and new business. For more information contact Mike Campo at 766-4510.

Red Cross bus

Two Cruz Roja (Red Cross) bus trips are scheduled for January and February. Thursday, January 28, the bus will head for the world-class Guadalajara Zoo. Spread over a large acreage, it features an aquarium, wild animal safari park and a zoo train to help orient visitors to the surroundings. Tickets are 250 pesos.

On Tuesday, February 8, the bus heads for Guadalajara’s Galerias Mall, and the adjoining Cosco, Sam’s, Walmart and Mega stores. Tickets are 150 pesos.

For tickets and further information, visit the Cruz Roja table at the Lake Chapala Society or contact June Cooper at 766-4939.

Legion site

Tom Keehnen, commander of American Legion Post Seven in Chapala, has announced the launch of the Post’s new website: www.americanlegionchapalpost7.org. The site contains current information about the Post, Auxiliary, day-to-day activities, the current edition of the Roll Call magazine, as well as upcoming events. It also lists the restaurant menu, including pricing and daily specials. Webmaster Clark Miller says that a module to permit interactive postings between the site and users will be installed in the near future.

Questions about the new website can be addressed by email to the webmaster at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Give the new website a try. It can also be found by using any of the common search engines.

Garden party

The Garden Party for the Love in Action Children’s shelter in Chapala will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2-4 p.m. at the center located at Pedro Moreno 76 in Chapala. The cost is 250 pesos and includes refreshments and live entertainment, cash bar, dancing and a tour of the shelter. Tickets are on sale at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones at the corner of Ocampo and Colon in Ajijic.

Fabulous fashions

The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation presents a Fashion Show and “High Tea” with fashions and accessories from Lois Cugini’s Opus Boutique on Sunday, January 24 at 3 p.m. Guests will enjoy seeing the models sashaying around between the tables on the patio, as they enjoy an assortment of teas, mini-sandwiches, scones and other goodies. Bob Croog will MC.

This isn’t just for ladies. Cugini carries wonderful men’s clothing, too. There will be a raffle for great prizes, creations from local artists, a cash bar for wine and lots more.

Tickets are 200 pesos per person and on sale at Opus Boutique and Diane Pearl Colecciones in Ajijic and Pinto Optical in Riberas del Pilar  or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .