May 2015 - Lake Chapala Society

60 years of “People Helping People”
May 2015
The Lake Chapala Society
www.lakechapalasociety.com
Message From the President
On a sunny mid-April Sunday morning, instead of enjoying our gorgeous weather, the Lake Chapala Society
Board of Directors met to plot a course for the next year.
We considered our strategic objectives :
1. Improving the member and community perception
of Lake Chapala Society
2. Optimizing programs for relevance now and in the
future
3. Re-engineering the campus for current and future
needs
We identified the following key points we should
focus on:
• Growing our membership
• Increasing our services to the Mexican community
• Promoting our education programs
• Integrating ex-pats into the local culture.
Based on our strategic objectives and the key issues
we developed these initiatives for LCS committees to
work on this year:
• Prepare recommendations for a marketing plan
to increase member and community awareness
of programs and services offered by the LCS
• Develop tools to measure community
and member perception to determine the
effectiveness of the marketing plan and our
program and service offerings
• Prepare recommendations to enhance the
community education programs
• Develop a process to evaluate and prioritize
existing and new programs
• Submit a plan to re-engineer the LCS campus
• Develop an annual giving and legacy giving plans
We also discussed celebrating the 60th Anniversary
of the Lake Chapala Society and created an ad-hoc
committee to plan the festivities. This committee,
chaired by Yoly Martinez, is planning a fiesta for the entire
community to celebrate not only our accomplishments
of the last decades but also our hopes and aspirations for
LCS in the future.
In my articles over the next year I will keep you up to
date on the progress of these initiatives.
Ben White, LCS President
LCS Community Education Program
Benefit Show
Cugini’s Boutique will present a fabulous summer
fashion show at LCS to benefit the Lake Chapala
Society Community Education Program. Featuring the
the award-winning Dunes Line, Mi Capricho, stylish
men’s shirts, and wonderful original jewelry, the show
will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 3 p.m. on the LCS
campus. Tickets are $150 pesos available at LCS and
Cugini’s Boutique, located at Morelos #15 in Ajijic.
LCS closed May 1, Dia de Labor,
Mexican National Holiday (Labor Day)
We Need You, Really!
The Service Desk has openings for substitute volunteers.
You need a friendly, outgoing personality plus the ability
to function under occasional pressure. The job involves
operating a computer-based point-of-sale system, (we’ll
train you) and the ability to make change, etc. You’ll work
four hour shifts. This may become a permanent one-day
a week position.
The Membership Desk has vacancies on both
Wednesdays and Fridays. Volunteers can work two or
four-hour shifts (four hours preferred) and should have
some experience with computers.
The Information Desk has an opening on Friday.
Volunteers should have spent enough time at Lakeside
to be at least a little familiar with directions and locations,
etc., most important is that they be friendly, helpful and
a great representative of LCS! Four-hour shift.
The Library is looking for someone in reasonably good
physical condition who can lift and bend, is familiar with
computers, and can sort materials alphabetically. This
position requires working four hour shifts. If you enjoy
our services and our marvelous books. we need your
help. Working in the library gives you the opportunity to
explore all of the fiction and non-fiction work available
here in Latin America’s largest English-language library.
We need a Warren Hardy Spanish Language Program
manager who will work with teachers at the beginning
of each term and assist with signing up, evaluating, and
placing potential students. Position requires working a
week at LCS prior to each term for evaluating and signing
up students and attending the first day of each session
to confirm student enrollment.
The IT Department is looking for volunteers who have
experience building computers, installing software, and
working with networks including overall troubleshooting.
Position involves climbing stairs several times a day.
The Special Events Coordinator is looking for volunteers
to help with fiesta decorations, greet guests, and collect
tickets. If you have a bit of flair and are an out-going
person who is good with your hands, this may be for you.
The Garden needs volunteers to plant, trim, weed and
generally maintain our lovely gardens.
Tea Anyone?
This fall, LCS will introduce several new programs. In
the planning stage right now is a new weekly program for
Lakeside senior citizens. One afternoon each week we will hold
a Senior’s High Tea on the grounds near the entrance gate.
Members from our community, including those at the various
senior’s facilities, will be welcomed to our lovely grounds for
an afternoon of socializing while enjoying a traditional “high
tea” of scones and strawberry jam (and tea of course) served
by LCS volunteers. LCS’ New Pilot Program at
Chapala High School
On May 21, LCS will sponsor a career day at the Chapala
High School, introducing students to the myriad of
options available after high school. The program targets
seniors and second semester juniors.
LCS is deeply committed to education; we teach art
to children, English and computer skills to adults, and
provide financial aid to aspiring college students. This
program is really about inspiring students to continue
their education bringing Mexican success stories into
their classrooms. The day will also include motivational
speaker Victor Aldana, who embeds part of his message
in a rap song.
LCS volunteer Glorine Barnhardt has spearheaded this
project, hoping to motivate the students and get them
excited about life after high school. Selecting both blue
and white collar professionals, this program will allow
school administrators to focus on the areas of interest
that they think will be most appealing to their students.
Our job is to provide Mexican professionals in the areas
they have selected, and coordinate it all. The logistics
involved are a little complicated since the high school
has both a morning and afternoon session.
The school director, Juan Ramon Alvarez, and his
assistants are very excited about this new collaboration.
They have asked for a chef, nutritionist, small business
owner, auto mechanic, artist, EMT, travel agent, engineer,
web designer, real estate agent and others. We expect
that over 500 students will participate.
If this program is successful, we will expand it to other
Lakeside junior and senior high schools upon request. If
you want more information, or think you can help, please
contact glorinebarnhardt@gmail.com.
Yum!
Our new culinary partner, Just Chillin’, has been on
board at the café for about six weeks now to enthusiastic reviews from members and guests. Their menu has
brought much-need variety to our offerings.
Coffees available include Green Mountain, Chiapas,
and decaf for those of you who don’t care for the highoctane stuff. Other beverages, in addition to the usual
variety of teas, now include frappes.
Try the usual bagels, muffins and cinnamon rolls for
breakfast, and order luncheon fare like tuna salad on avocado, a selection of paninis, quesadillas, French fries and
the long-awaited onion rings. Mini-burgers are coming
soon. Cakes, pastries, granola bars, cookies and brownies
round out the menu.
The Just Chillin’ Café at LCS is open Monday through
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May Activities
*Open to the Public ** US Citizens
(S) Sign in required (C) Membership card required
CRUZ ROJA *
Cruz Roja Sales Table Mon-Fri 10-1
CRIV Monthly Meeting 2nd Wed 2-5
HEALTH INSURANCE *
IMSS & Immigration Services Mon+Tues 10-1
Lakeside Insurance Broker
Tues+Thur 11-2
HEALTH & LEGAL SERVICES *
Becerra Immigration Thur 10:30-12:30
Blood Pressure Fri 10-12
Hearing Aid Services (S) Mon+2nd+4th, Sat 11-4
Ministerio Publico Wed May 13+27 10-2
Claravision Optometrist (S) Thur 9-4
Pharmaceutical Consultation 4th M10-12
Skin Cancer Screening (S) 2nd + 4th Wed 10-12 :30
US Consulate** Mon May 4 10-12 Sign up 10-11:30
LESSONS (C)
Children’s Art Sat 10-12*
Children’s Reading Program Sat 9-10*
Exercise Mon+Wed+Fri 9-10
Fitness and Strenght Thru Yoga Mon+Fri 2-3:30, Sat 1-2:30
Line Dancing Tues+Thur 10-11:15
Thrusday Yoga Thur 2-3:30
LIBRARIES
Audio Thur 10-12
Book & Video Mon-Sat 10-2
Library of Congress Books**/ Talking Books Thur 10-12
Wilkes Mon-Fri 9:30-7, Sat 9:30-1
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (C)
All Things Tech Fri 9:30-11:30
Bridge 4 Fun Tue + Thur 1-5
Conversaciones en Español
Mon 10-12
Discussion Group Wed 12-1:30
English/Spanish Conversation
Sat 11-12
Everyday Mindfulness Mon10:15-11:45
Film Aficionados Thur 2-4:30
Genealogy Forum Last Mon 2-4
Mac OS
1st Mon 12-1
Mac User Group
3rd Wed 1-2
Memoir Writers 2nd Wed 2-4
Needle Pushers Tues 10-12
Open Gaming (open to the public from 2)
Mon 1-4*
Philosophy Group Wed 10:-12
Scrabble Mon+Fri 12-1:50
Tournament Scrabble Tues 12-1:50
SERVICE & SUPPORT GROUPS *
Have Hammer Workshop Demo 1st 3rd Mon 10-12*
Information Desk Mon-Sat 10-2
Lakeside AA Mon +Thur 4:30-5:30
Ninos de Chapala y Ajijic Fri 10-12 Begins Apr 17
Open Circle Sun 10-12:30
SMART Recovery Wed 2:30-4
Toastmasters Mon 7-8:30 pm
TICKET SALES Monday-Friday 10-12 *
Video Library Additions - May
There aren’t many good movies
available right now. If you have any
suggestions, please share them with us.
And, as always, we need couriers. If you
or anyone you know can help, please
let someone in the Video Library know
about it. DVDs do not take up much room. Below are
some new ones for May. Please see the Video Library
display board for more new movies and a variety of
others available.
Gone Girl #6891 Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike
Drama
The Imitation Game #6903 Benedict Cumberbatch
and Keira Knightley Drama/Bio
Le Confessional #6907 Lothaire Bluteau and Patrick
Goyette (Quebec) Drama
Saint Vincent #6894 Bill Murray and Melissa
MacCarthy Comedy
Whiplash #6906 Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons
Drama/Music
Convert your tapes to DVD’s for $50 pesos each.
Just drop them off at Video Library desk.
Follow Us on Facebook
Now you can follow us on Facebook. Keep
up on all things LCS - programs, activities,
special events, updates and news. Like us at
www.facebook.com/lakechapalasociety.
Activities News
Effective Monday, June 1, the Cruz Cruz Roja table will
operate on its summer schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Costco will be at LCS Monday and Tuesday, May 11
and 12, for information about special offers and sales.
Join or renew your membership.
Please note: the U.S. Consulate will be at LCS Monday,
May 4 from 10-12 p.m.
In the Service Office
Warren Hardy Spanish textbooks are available in the
office. Donations for kitty care may also be made in the
service office.
Children’s Art Cards
Our wonderful children’s art cards are available at
the Just Chillin’ Cafe.
The Kitty Fund
You may make donations to the kitty fund for the care
and feeding of our feline friends in the Service Office.
Viva eSun!
Thanks for checking our systems
and for your continuing community
support.
English Language Program
It’s May and one of Lake Chapala Society’s flagship
community programs, English as a Second Language at
the Wilkes Education Center, will be celebrating its annual
ceremony of student accomplishment. Lead by program
director, Inez Dayer, a team of volunteer ESL teachers
including Sandy Jakubek, Harold Tracy, John Munroe and
Les Strong have been hard at work planning ESL Student
Recognition Day, May 9, 2015, from 5-7pm located on the
back patio on the Lake Chapala Society grounds.
Adult students over 15 years of age, who have been
studying English through the LCS sponsored program
since September 2014, have reason to be proud of their
achievements in learning the language and participating
in classroom instruction during the entire semester.
Friends and families are invited to attend the ceremony
and to enjoy light refreshments before and after the
formal portion of the program. Each student will receive
an embossed certificate, suitable for framing, presented
by each class’s respective teacher. Six levels of English
instruction will be honored: Basic, Basic Advanced, Levels
II, III, IV and Conversation Class.
Maria Huerta, Wilkes Student Liaison, anticipates
that between 100 and 125 certificates will be awarded,
a significant number considering conflicting work
schedules and family responsibilities our students face
throughout the course of a nine month commitment.
Many students have already pre-registered to return to
class in September.
For adult residents who want to take advantage of
this tuition free program (purchase of books required),
registration for the 2015-2016 semester is scheduled for
August 18- 20, 2015 from 12-2p.m. at Wilkes Education
Center, 18 Galeana. Interested in volunteering to teach?
Contact inezme@gmail.com
Warren Hardy Spanish Language Classes
Spanish language classes begin Monday, May 11
and run through June 27. This program uses the
Warren Hardy Spanish language course designed for
the adult student. The fee is $750 pesos.
Register at the LCS service office on weekdays. The
week of May 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the program
manager will be available to answer questions and
register students at on the LCS campus at the Blue
Umbrella Patio.
Visit the LCS website www.lakechapalasociety.com.
Thursday Film Aficionados
Open to LCS members only. Bring your card.
All films shown in the Sala from 2-4 p.m.
No food. No pets.
May 7 Far From Men 2015 France- Algeria A French
teacher in a Algerian village during the Algerian War
forms an unexpected bond with an accused murderer
and then is ordered to turn him over to the authorities.
May 14 In Order of Disappearance 2015 Norway Hard-working snow plow driver Nils, has been
named citizen of the year. He receives news that
his son has died of a drug overdose. Disbelieving Nils soon uncovers evidence of his son’s murder.
May 21 The Parade (Parada)- 2011 Serbia-Slovenia A
homophobic middle-aged Serbian gangster ends up
sacrificing himself to protect a gay freedom parade in
Belgrade. This comedy-drama is based on a true story.
May 28 Leviathan 2014 Russia This Academy Award
nominee from Russia takes place in a coastal town where
Nikolai is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is
told his house will be demolished.
May Bus Trips
Thursday May 7 Galerias Mall The bus will leave from
the sculpture in La Floresta at 9:30 a.m. returning to
Ajijic by 5 p.m. Enjoy a day of shopping at stores like
Liverpool, Best Buy, H&M, Sears, and adjacent stores
Costco, Super Walmart, and Sam’s Club. There’s a variety
of name restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, PF
Chang’s, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Outback Steak House and a
central food court.
Tuesday May 19 Quick Trip to Costco on Lopez Mateos
Sur. This is a short five-hour shopping trip that includes
the Mega super store with great selections and prices.
The bus will leave the sculpture at La Floresta at 9:30 a.m.
and return to Ajijc at 2:30 p.m.
This trip is experimental, if you are interested, please let
us know. or it will be discontinued.
LCS bus trips sell out quickly, so buy your tickets soon
in the LCS service office; cost is $250 pesos for members
and $300 pesos for non-members.
THE Lake Chapala Society, A.C.
16 de Septiembre #16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco LCS Main Office: (376) 766-1140
Office, information and other services - Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Grounds open until 5:00 p.m.
LCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
President - Ben White (2016); Vice-President - Cate Howell (2017); Treasurer - Michael Searles (2017); Secretary - Carole Wolff (2016);
Directors: Matthew Butler (2016); Lois Cugini (2017); Ernest Gabbard (2016); Fred Harland (2017); Barbara Hildt (2017);
Yoli Martinez (2017); Garry Musgrave (2017); Pete Soderman (2016); Joan Ward (2016); Immediate Past President: Howard Feldstein.
Executive Director - Terry Vidal
The LCS Newsletter is published monthly. Deadline for submissions is the 17th of the month preceding publication.
Submit all news items to newsletter@lakechapalasociety.com
Note: The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all submissions according to time, space availability and editorial decision.